s> 


1 


N 


UNIVERSITY  OF  N.C.  AT  CHAPEL  HILL 


00022228723 


y 


> 


.f 


•I 


1 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2012  with  funding  from 

University  of  North  Carolina  at  Chapel  Hil 


http://archive.org/details/biographyforschoOOrobb 


BIOGRAPHY  FOR  SCHOOLS; 


OR, 


GOOD  EXAMPLES 


FOR 


YOUNG  PERSONS. 


BY  THE  AUTHOR  OF  AMERICAN  POPULAR  LESSONS. 


"  Friends  of  the  world,  and  fathers  of  mankind." 


URIAH  HUNT,   101   MARKET   STREET. 

AND  FOR  SALE  BY  THE  BOOKSELLERS  GENERALLY  THROUGH- 
OUT THE  UNITED  STATES. 

183  6. 


Entered  according  to  the  act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1836,  by 
Uriah  Hunt,  in  the  clerk's  office  of  the  district  court  for  the  east- 
ern district  of  Pennsylvania.   . 


STEREOTYPED  BY  J.  FAGAN PHILADELPHIA. 


PREFACE. 


Biography  for  schools  has  never  been  attempted  in  this 
country.  In  Germany,  authentic  examples  of  what  is  excel- 
lent and  commendable  in  human  action  are  made  a  part  of 
academic  and  popular  instruction.  In  the  Prussian  schools 
a  series  of  books  under  the  title,  Examples  of  Virtue,  are  in 
constant  use.  These  examples  are  taken  from  different  ages 
of  the  world,  and  teach  the  virtues  proper  to  our  nature  and 
social  state  from  the  representations  of  fact. 

We  give  our  children  History  long  before  they  can  under- 
stand it.  History  represents  collective  society — large  num- 
bers of  men — the  interests  of  great  numbers — the  transac- 
tions of  great  numbers — the  disputed  principles  of  parties — 
politics,  the  most  obscure  of  sciences — and  negotiations  of 
states — all  which  have  nothing  to  do  with  the  natural  curi- 
osity, or  sympathy,  or  duties  of  the  young.  There  is  know- 
ledge which  our  popular  education  entirely  neglects,  that  is 
infinitely  more  desirable  and  interesting— it  is  that  which 
records  individual  man.  By  means  of  this  knowledge,  we 
may  lead  the  young  from  particulars  to  generals.  We  may 
show  how  every  distinguished  man  belongs  to  his  age — to 
others,  his  contemporaries.  Columbus  would  not  have  been 
the  man  he  was,  but  for  the  circumstances  he  was  placed  in ; 
or  being  the  same  man,  he  could  not  have  run  the  same  ca- 
reer, but  for  the  motives  and  opportunities  which  the  then 

3 


iV  PREFACE. 

existing  state  of  human  knowledge,  of  government,  and  of 
religion  opened  to  him.    He  illustrates  his  age. 

When  the  history  of  Luther  is  first  presented  to  a  young 
person,  what  a  wide  view  of  the  most  important  truth  does 
it  open  !  The  individual  is  presented  in  all  his  ardour  for 
the  cause  of  truth — the  principle  which  animates  him  is  ex- 
alted at  once  by  his  zeal  and  courage  in  declaring  it ;  and 
then  the  authority  of  old  error — its  origin  and  progress — all 
the  power  which  defends  it,  together  with  that  which  op- 
poses it ;  the  influences  of  false  and  of  true  religion  upon 
society ;  the  power  of  the  human  will  and  conscience  over 
all  other  powers,  extending  themselves  beyond  the  fearless 
soul  which  announces  their  dictates  to  contemporary  minds, 
and  succeeding  generations— all  exhibit  to  the  young  the 
moral  dignity  of  man — the  ages  and  the  multitudes  that  lay 
in  darkness — the  renewing  of  light  to  mankind — and  by 
comparison  with  present  times,  its  shining  more  and  more 
to  perfect  day. 

In  a  similar  way  the  relations  of  every  great  and  good 
man  or  woman  to  the  age  in  which  he  or  she  lives,  makes 
the  individual  a  nucleus  of  accumulated  facts,  which  form 
the  true  history  of  mankind.  In  our  common  mode  of  teach- 
ing, that  which  is  first  should  be  last.  "  How  can  we  rea- 
son but  from  what  we  know  V  In  very  early  life  we  know 
individuals — private  men,  and  private  relations  only.  The 
connexion  of  these  with  the  whole  frame  of  society — of  our 
own  times  with  preceding,  backward  through  antiquity — 
and  the  remarkable  differences  of  savage  and  civilized  man, 
are  all  comprehended  by  means  of  comparisons.    Wisdom 


and  Charity  will  both  be  enlarged  by  teaching  History  and 
•  Ethics  in  such  a  connexion. 

I  have  written  this  little  book  with  the  view  to  induce 
teachers  to  discipline  the  minds  of  the  young  in  this  way. 
To  inculcate  the  principles  of  duty  by  actual  examples,  and 
to  extend  the  knowledge  of  mankind  through  the  demon- 
strated influence  of  individuals  upon  large  numbers,  in  dif- 
ferent ages  and  countries.  This  is  a  very  small  specimen  of 
what  is  practicable  in  such  a  course  of  instruction ;  but  I 
was  restricted  to  this  experiment  by  the  discretion  of  my 
publisher. 

I  have,  with  more  perseverance  than  success,  during 
many  years,  endeavoured  to  furnish  to  the  public  the  instru- 
ments of  a  truly  moral  education  of  the  people.  I  honour  all 
physical  science  for  its  excellent  uses,  and  wish  to  see  the 
young  so  far  initiated  by  primary  instruction,  that  they  may 
find  in  it  the  interpretation  of  God's  laws,  and  a  constant 
facility  in  all  the  operations  of  art  and  industry.  I  desire  to 
see  the  reasoning  faculty  exercised,  so  that  truth  and  false- 
hood, expediency  and  inutility,  may  be  plain  before  them ; 
but,  above  all,  I  wish  to  see  the  principles  of  a  right  conduct 
made  perfectly  clear  by  actual  instruction.  In  a  fictibn 
taken  from  antiquity,*  Education  personified,  thus  exhorts 
the  learner  to  receive  the  benefits  she  would  communicate : 
"  If  thou  wilt  be  persuaded  by  me,  I  will  display  to  thee 
many  works  of  wise  men,  reporting  to  thee  their  admirable 
words  and  actions.    And  the  soul,  thy  better  part,  I  will 

*  Lucian's  Dream. 


Vi  PREFACE. 

adorn  with  many  ornaments — with  temperance,  justice,  and 
holiness ;  with  gentleness,  equity,  and  prudence ;  with  forti- 
tude, with  love  of  honourable  things,  and  with  zeal  for  im- 
portant things.  For  these  truly  are  the  unblemished  orna- 
ments of  the  soul."  Thus  in  the  words  of  a  sceptic  philoso- 
pher, we  recognize  the  christian  doctrine,  "Whatsoever 
things  are  pure,  lovely,  &c,  think  on  those  things."  If  we 
have  neglected  the  christian  counsel  heretofore,  shall  not 
this  admonition  reprove  us  1  It  is  the  best  function  of  educa- 
tion to  furnish  the  young  with  such  elements  of  thought. 
God  grant  that  others,  better  skilled  than  I  am,  may  furnish 
them  more  acceptably  and  abundantly. 

ELIZA  ROBBINS. 

Philadelphia,  July,  1836. 


The  following  School-books  have  been  prepared  by  the  author  of 
Biography  for  Schools. 

INTRODUCTION  TO  POPULAR  LESSONS. 

AMERICAN  POPULAR  LESSONS, 

SEQUEL  TO  POPULAR  LESSONS, 

PRIMARY  DICTIONARY, 

TALES  FROM  AMERICAN  HISTORY, 

POETRY  FOR  SCHOOLS, 

GRECIAN  HISTORY, 

ENGLISH  HISTORY, 

BIOGRAPHY  FOR  SCHOOLS. 


CONTENTS. 


Great  Men,  and  Wise  Men Page    9 

James  Brindley 12 

Marcus  Aurelius  Antoninus 31 

Peter  the  Great 40 

Sir  Matthew  Hale 88 

Mary  Evelyn 107 

Sir  William  Phipps 117 

John  Howard 137 

William  Roscoe 149 

William  Penn 179 

John  Frederic  Oberlin 209 

Louisa  Schepler 237 

George  Cuvier 243 


b 


GREAT  MEN  AND  WISE  MEN. 


"  Francis,  how  do  you  like  the  book  I  gave  you  when 
I  went  away  V9  said  Mr.  Carleton  to  his  son,  a  boy  of 
twelve  years  old,  being  just  returned  to  his  family  after' 
some  months  of  absence. 

"  Evenings  at  Home,  you  mean,  Father,"  said  Francis ; 
"  you  told  me  it  was  full  of  instruction  and  entertain- 
ment— you  said,  this  book  will  do  you  good  as  long  as 
you  live ;  you  will  never  forget  its  beautiful  lessons.  Be- 
cause you  praised  the  book  so  much  I  began  to  read  it 
immediately,  and  I  have  read  it,  little  by  little,  ever  since ; 
and  I  have  never  been  l^red  of  it,  though  I  do  not  under- 
stand all  the  conversations,  and  some  of  the  stories,  in 
the  last  volume." 

"  Some  of  those  stories  are  designed  for  young  per- 
sons older  than  you  are,"  remarked  the  good  father, 
"  but  you  will  grow  older  fast  enough,  and  you  will  then 
understand  and  enjoy  them.  Tell  me  of  one  that  you  have 
read  without  perfectly  understanding  it." 

"  A  discourse  on  Great  Men,  I  did  not  quite  under- 
stand, because  I  did  not  know  enough  of  the  persons 
mentioned  in  it  to  comprehend  the  remarks  upon  them," 
replied  Francis ;  and  he  went  to  the  book-shelves  that 
stood  near,  and  took  down  the  volume  which  he  had 


10  GREAT   MEN   AND   WISE   MEN. 

carefully  preserved  from  all  injury.  At  his  father's 
request,  he  then  began  to  read  "Great  Men,"  as  fol- 
lows— 

"  I  will  show  you  a  great  man"  said  Mr.  C.  one  day 
to  his  son,  at  the  time  the  Duke  of  Bridgewater's  canal 
was  making.  He  accordingly  took  him  to  a  place  where 
a  number  of  workmen  were  employed  in  raising  a  pro- 
digious mound,  or  bank  of  earth  and  stones,  on  the  top 
'of  which  the  canal  was  to  be  carried  across  a  deep 
valley.  In  the  midst  of  them  was  a  plain- dressed  man, 
of  an  ordinary  appearance — in  short,  a  person  resem- 
bling those  by  whom  he  was  surrounded.  He  had  a 
paper  in  his  hand — the  plan  of  the  work  the  men  were 
engaged  in — and  he  was  giving  directions  to  the  people 
about  him  how  to  proceed  in  their  labour,  at  the  same 
time  that  he  surveyed  the  whole  with  the  most  profound 
attention.  This  gentleman,  Ai^hur,  said  Mr.  C.  is  the 
great  Mr.  Brindley. 

What,  cried  Arthur,  is  that  &  great  man? 

Mr.  C.  Yes,  a  very  great  man.  Why  are  you  sur- 
prised ? 

A.  I  do  not  know,  but  I  should  have  expected  a  great 
man  to  have  looked  very  differently. 

Mr.  C.  It  matters  little  how  a  man  looks,  if  he  can 
perform  great  things.  That  person  whom  you  see 
yonder,  without  any  advantages  of  education,  has  become, 
by  the  force  of  his  own  genius,  the  first  engineer  of  the 
age.  He  is  doing  things  that  were  never  done  nor  even 
thought  of  in  England  before;  he  pierces  hills,  builds 


GREAT    MEN    AND    WISE  MEN.  11 

bridges  over  valleys,  makes  aqueducts  across  navigable 
rivers,  and  has  introduced  improvements  that  cannot  be 
calculated. 

When  Mr.  Brindley  is  sometimes  at  a  loss  to  accom- 
plish what  he  has  begun,  he  does  not  go  to  other  people 
for  advice,  but  he  consults  the  wonderful  faculties  of  his 
own  mind — he  retires  from  every  body,  and  thinks  upon 
the  subject,  until,  at  length,  the  way  to  overcome  his 
difficulties  becomes  plain  before  him,  and  he  then  sets 
himself  to  work  to  finish  his  undertaking  ;  wThich  he  has 
never  yet  failed  to  do  in  the  most  perfect  manner.  He 
looks,  it  is  true,  like  a  man  of  the  common  order,  but  he 
has  such  a  mind  as  is  not  granted  to  one  in  a  million  of 
the  human  race." 

Francis  stopped  at  this  period :  "  Father,"  said  he,  "  I 
should  understand  the  propriety  of  all  this  praise  of  Mr. 
Brindley  if  I  really  knew  wrho  he  was,  and  what  he 
performed.  The  book  says  he  wTas  an  eminent  engineer, 
and  planned  the  Duke  of  Bridgewater's  canal,  but  I  should 
like  to  know  more  of  his  history." 

"  That  is  rational  curiosity,"  answered  Mr.  Carleton. 
"  Now  I  will  put  you  in  a  way  to  gratify  it,  and  also  to 
exercise  your  skill  in  the  art  or  writing.  I  will  lend  you 
the  second  volume  of  Aikin's  Biographical  Dictionary, 
and  you  shall  read  there  the  life  of  Mr.  Brindley,  and 
write  an  abstract  of  it  as  well  as  you  can.  It  will  fix  in 
your  memory  the  facts  contained  in  that  article.  You 
need  not,  however,  often  write  out  what  you  have  read; 
but  rather  impress  it  upon  your  mind,  itself,  by  thinking 


12  GREAT    MEN    AND    WISE    MEN. 

about  what  you  read,  which  is  the  habit  of  reflection : 
without  that  you  will  learn  very  little. 

"The  desire  you  have  shown  to  follow  out  of  one 
book  into  another  what  you  have  imperfectly  learned 
in  the  first,  is  a  good  sign — a  sign  that  you  are  not  satis- 
fied with  imperfect  informations ;  and  I  have  shown  you 
a  way  in  which,  where  books  abound,  you  may  gratify 
your  inclination  for  thorough  knowledge  upon  almost 
any  subject.  When  you  have  not  just  such  books  in 
your  possession  as  you  want,  in  all  considerable  places 
there  are  libraries  that  contain  books  which  you  will  be 
allowed  to  consult.  Those  libraries  are  collected  on 
purpose  to  preserve  knowledge,  and  furnish  it  to  those 
who  desire  to  obtain  it." 

JAMES  BRINDLEY. 

James  Brindley  was  born  at  Tunsted,  in  Derbyshire, 
in  1716.  The  poverty  of  his  father's  family  was  so 
extreme,  that  young  Brindley  was  totally  neglected; 
and  instead  .of  receiving  even  the  common  rudiments  of 
education,  was  forced  to  resort  to  such  employments 
as  are  followed  by  children  of  the  most  indigent  people. 

At  the  age  of  seventeen  he  bound  himself  apprentice 
to  Mr.  Bennet,  a  mill-wright,  in  Cheshire,  and,  in  a  short 
time,  became  expert  in  the  business.  He  was  not  only 
very  skilful  at  his  work,  but  his  whole  conduct  was  re- 
markable for  steadiness  and  prudence.  Mr.  Bennet 
soon  learned  to  depend  upon  his  intelligence  and  faith- 


GREAT    MEN    AND    WISE    MEN.  13 

fulness ;  and  left  him,  for  weeks  together,  without  par- 
ticular instructions,  to  execute  work  commenced  under 
his  own  inspection. 

This  he  would  finish  in  his  owrn  way,  and  with  such 
improvements  upon  former  practice,  that  Brindley's  work 
soon  came  to  be  much  preferred  to  any  other  person's. 
Mr.  Bennet  grew  old  and  too  infirm  for  business,  but 
James  Brindley  did  not  quit  him,  and  for  some  years 
maintained  him  and  his  family. 

An  instance  of  Brindley's  extraordinary  activity,  and 
zeal  to  procure  knowledge  is  mentioned  to  his  honour. 
Mr.  Bennet  was  employed  to  build  a  paper-mill  upon  a 
new  plan,  after  the  model  of  the  first  and  only  one  known 
in  that  part  of  the  country.  Brindley  was  engaged  in 
other  wTork,  and  Mr.  Bennet  went  on  with  his  mill, 
expecting  to  make  it  operate  like  the  model-mill. 

While  he  was  engaged  in  this  undertaking,  another 
mill-wright,  who  happened  to  travel  near  the  place,  told 
the  neighbours  that  Mr.  Bennet  could  not  make  the 
mill,  which  he  was  constructing,  -work  as  he  expect- 
ed, and  that  he  was  .throwing  away  his  employer's 
money.  This  report  being  repeated  to  Brindley,  that 
he  might  know  whether  Mr.  Bennet  could  produce  the 
effect  required  of  him,  he  determined  to  see  the  models 
mill  himself. 

He  could  not  discharge  himself  from  labour  on  the 
working-days  of  the  week ;  and,  being  too  poor  to  hire 
a  conveyance,  could  only '  employ  the  Sunday  to  fulfil 
his  intention :  accordingly,  he  started  on  foot,  on  a  Satur- 


14  GREAT   MEN    AND   WISE   MEN. 

day  evening  for  the  mill,  surveyed  it,  and  accomplished 
a  journey  of  fifty  miles,  and  back  again  on  Monday 
morning  in  time  to  commence  work  at  the  usual  hour. 

From  what  Mr.  Brindley  observed  of  the  mill,  he  was 
convinced  that  the  travelling  mill-wright  had  mis- 
chievously, or  ignorantly,  misrepresented  Mr.  Bennet's 
work ;  and  he  encouraged  the  latter  to  proceed  as  he 
had  begun,  which  he  did  very  successfully. 

About  the  year  1750,  silk-mills,  and  all  machinery 
used  in  water-works  and  manufactures,  began  to  be  in 
great  request  in  England,  and  to  be  improved  by  new 
inventions.  When  Mr.  Brindley's  skill  as  a  workman 
came  to  be  known,  he  was  much  consulted  in  these 
improvements,  and  he  invented  many  himself.  Among 
his  useful  contrivances  was  a  water-engine  for  draining 
coal-mines — reels  for  winding  in  silk-mills — wheels  to 
accomplish  work  that  had  been  done  before  by  hand, 
and  a  new  method  of  grinding  flints  in  potteries. 

The  industry  of  man  would  be  of  small  use  without 
facilities  of  transportation.  If  the  productions  of  the  field — 
the  cloth  wrought  in  the  loom — the  ore  disengaged  from 
the  mine,  could  not  be  conveyed  from  one  district  to 
another,  there  could  be  no  exchange  of  the  different  pro- 
ducts of  nature  and  of  human  labour.  Each  district 
would  have  a  superfluity  of  one  article  and  a  want  of  an- 
other, so  that  all  would  be  in  need  of  some  things  in  the 
midst  of  abundance  of  others. 

By  means  of  navigation,  of  canals,  and  of  roads,  with 
the  invention  of  steam-boats  and  carriages,  and  the  as- 


GREAT   MEN   AND   WISE   MEN.  15 

sistance  of  draught  animals,  a  free  interchange  of  all 
God's  gifts  to  mankind  is  carried  on.  Thus  he  who  adds 
to  those  already  in  use,  a  good  road,  a  navigable  canal, 
or  a  manageable  engine  which  moves  vessels  or  car- 
riages over  land  and  water,  renders  a  great  service  to 
society :  he  facilitates  the  labours  of  man,  and  multiplies 
his  conveniences  and  comforts.  James  Brindley  was 
capable  of  all  this. 

In  the  middle  of  the  last  century,  the  Duke  of  Bridge- 
water  became  one  of  the  wealthiest  men  in  Britain  by 
means  of  Mr.  Brindley's  operations.  Seven  miles  from 
the  city  of  Manchester,  the  duke  had  a  large  estate, 
rich  in  mines  of  coal ;  but  the  coal  was  useless,  because 
no  cheap  mode  of  conveying  it  to  market  had  been  con- 
trived. 

In  order  to  obtain  one,  the  duke  consulted  Mr.  Brind- 
ley upon  the  practicability  of  constructing  a  canal  from 
Worsley,  where  the  coal  lay,  to  Manchester ;  and  that 
gentleman,  after  surveying  the  ground,  declared  that  the 
canal  might  be  made,  though  not  without  great  labour 
and  expense.  Satisfied  with  this  information,  the  duke, 
after  consent  of  parliament  was  obtained,  employed  Mr. 
Brindley  to  prosecute  the  enterprise. 

It  was  afterwards  ascertained  that  the  canal  would  be 
more  advantageous  if  it  should  be  considerably  extend- 
ed ;  and  it  was  found  necessary  to  carry  it  over  rivers, 
and  large  and  deep  valleys — in  one  place  over  a  river 
thirty-nine  feet  above  the  water,  through  an  aqueduct,  or 
long  trough.    Such  an  undertaking  had  then  never  been 


16  GREAT   MEN    AND   WISE   MEN. 

accomplished,  never  even  been  heard  of;  and  the  bare 
mention  of  it  caused  it  be  derided  and  opposed. 

Mr.  Brindley's  genius,  however,  foresaw  every  diffi- 
culty, and  how  to  surmount  them  all ;  and  his  firm  mind 
could  equally  disregard  the  ridicule  and  distrust  that  met 
him  everywhere.  The  Duke  of  Bridgewater  was  very 
rich,  and  promised  him  as  much  money  as  he  should  find 
necessary.  The  confidence  of  his  employer,  and  the 
use  of  his  fortune,  were  all  that  Mr.  Brindley  required. 

The  work  was  begun  in  September,  1760,  and  the 
first  boat  sailed  over  it  on  the  17th  of  July,  1761.  From 
that  time  this  astonishing  success  of  the  great  engineer 
became  an  object  of  general  admiration.  The  news- 
papers described  the  work ;  people  discussed  it  in  com- 
mon conversation ;  and  travellers  visited  it  with  emotions 
of  astonishment  and  delight. 

The  complete  operation  of  the  Duke  of  Bridgewater's 
canal  encouraged  other  undertakings  of  the  like  nature, 
and  Mr.  Brindley  was  employed  to  the  end  of  his  days 
upon  works  of  inland  navigation.  His  greatest  enter- 
prise, was  the  canal  from  the  Trent  to  the  Mersey, 
which  was  ninety-three  miles  in  length,  and  was  finished 
by  Mr.  Brindley's  brother-in-law,  after  his  decease,  in 
1777,  eleven  years  from  the  commencement  of  it. 

The  most  difficult  part  of  this  canal  was  its  five  tun- 
nels, or  perforation  of  hills,  for  conveyance  of  water. 
The  most  remarkable  of  these,  through  Air-castle  hill, 
was  2880  yards  in  length,  and  more  than  seventy  yards 
below  the  summit  of  the  hill. 


GREAT    MEN    AND    WISE  MEN.  17 

These,  Mr.  Brindley's  chief  works,  are  only  a  part 
of  his  astonishing  operations  as  surveyor  and  director  of 
canals,  which,  in  every  part  of  England  where  they 
were  needed,  were  laid  out  and  completed  in  conse- 
quence of  the  important  uses  demonstrated  by  the  first 
canal  of  the  Duke  of  Bridgewater. 

If  it  be  asked  if  Mr.  Brindley  was  nothing  but  a  ma- 
chinist and  a  projector  of  roads  and  canals — it  may  be 
replied,  that  to  be  this,  was  to  be  a  great  man — to  be 
capable  of  designing  and  doing  great  good  to  society. 
But  he  was  capable  of  much  more :  his  heart  was  full 
of  benevolence  and  patriotism ;  and,  though  he  seldom 
talked  much,  he  sometimes  expressed  lively  satisfaction 
in  his  pursuits  because  they  were  to  be  of  great  use  to 
society. 

Mr.  Brindley  knew  that  his  roads,  canals,  and  ma- 
chines would  diminish  the  toil  of  man,  distribute  the 
good  things  of  the  world,  and  multiply  and  interchange 
the  comforts  of  life;  and  would,  moreover,  greatly 
increase  the  wealth  of  his  native  country:  and  he  re- 
joiced in  bright  anticipations  of  the  magnificent  results 
of  his  unwearied  study,  exertion,  and  fatigue.* 

The  achievements  of  his  thoughts,  of  his  vigilance  and 
perseverance  against  all  obstacles  and  discouragements, 
raise  him  above  kings  and  conquerors ;  and  his  history 
should  encourage  the  youth  of  genius,  that  he'  may  de- 
vote his  faculties  to  the  benefit  of  society,  and  obtain 

*  See  Aikin's  Biographical  Diet. 
2 


18  GREAT    MEN    AND    WISE    MEN. 

his  reward  in  the  completion  of  his  plans  and  in  the  re- 
spect of  mankind.  Mr.  Brindley's  useful  and  honourable 
life  was  not  prolonged  to  old  age.  He  died  of  a  hectic 
fever,  September  27th,  1772. 


When  Francis  had  finished  the  preceding  brief  ac- 
count of  Mr.  Brindley,  he  said,  "  I  wonder  that  the 
canals  mentioned  in  this  history  should  have  been  so 
much  admired,  and  that  Mr.  Brindley's  genius  was 
thought  so  extraordinary,  when  we,  in  America,  have  a 
canal  of  three  hundred  miles  in  length,  all  the  way  from 
lake  Erie  to  the  Hudson,  which  is  far  longer  than  the 
longest  canal  of  Mr.  Brindley,  and  we  have  others  be- 
sides that  are  greater  works  than  his." 

Mr.  Carleton.  Mr.  Brindley's  works  were  so  much 
admired  because  they  proved,  for  the  first  time,  that 
such  attempts  to  overcome  obstacles  and  expedite  busiv 
ness  could  be  effectual.  It  was  matter  of  surprise  and 
admiration  throughout  Europe,  three  centuries  ago,  that 
Columbus  could  explore  the  Atlantic ;  that  he  had  found 
out  another  continent,  and  brought  back  intelligence  of 
his  discovery  to  the  old  world.  In  the  present  age, 
innumerable  vessels  cross  the  same  ocean  without  ex- 
citing the, least  admiration.  What  man  has  done,  man 
may  do ;  but  some  men  seem  born  to  lead,  and  others 
to  follow  them — to  have  the  benefit  of  their  discoveries 
and  their  inventions. 


GREAT   MEN    AND    WISE    MEN.  19 

Mr.  Brindley  was  a  leader :  he  ventured  upon  untried 
undertakings.  He  saw  by  his  genius,  his  great  sagacity, 
and  observation  of  the  laws  of  nature,  what  art  might 
be  capable  of;  but  he  could  not  be  certain  till  he  had 
tried,  and  made  experiments :  and,  if  he  should  succeed, 
it  would  be  very  easy  for  others  to  learn  of  him  and 
imitate  him — adapting  their  operations  to  larger  works 
which  might  be  found  necessary  in  other  countries.  Be- 
cause he  was  an  inventor  and  experimenter,  and  not  a 
mere  imitator,  Mr.  Brindley  must  be  regarded  as  a  great 
man. 

Francis.  I  perceive  the  difference  between  an  in- 
ventor and  an  imitator ;  and  I  see  that  great  inventors 
and  discoverers  are  great  men  ;  but  I  was  never  told  so 
until  now.  All  the  great  men  I  remember  to  have 
heard  about  were  kings  or  generals,  or  in  some  high 
station  or  other. 

Mr.  Carleton.  Kings,  generals,  and  other  men  in  high 
stations  are  called  great  men  because  they  are  known 
to  all  persons — because  they  have  an  opportunity  to  do 
a  great  deal — because  great  numbers  of  men  depend 
upon  them  for  many  things.  But  a  high  station  cannot 
make  a  truly  great  man.  The  mind  which  designs  and 
foresees  great  effects  from  something  to  be  done,  is  great. 

Francis.  I  understand  that  Columbus  was  great  when 
he  planned  the  discovery  of  America,  and  when  he  per- 
severed in  it ;  and  in  all  his  conduct,  being  abused  as  he 
was  by  wicked  and  selfish  men,  his  enemies,  he  displayed 
the  greatness*  of  his  mind,  and  his  disinterestedness. 


20  GREAT    MEN    AND    WISE    MEN. 

Mr.  Carhton.  Columbus  is  a  true  example  of  great- 
ness. Those  who  invent  useful  arts,  and  discover  truths 
which  may  promote  the  comfort  and  happiness  of  man- 
kind at  a  long  distance  of  time  from  that  in  which  they 
live  themselves,  are  much  greater  benefactors  to  society 
than  mere  conquerors.  Their  greatness  consists  much 
in  meaning  to  do  good,  and  not  evil — in  designing  the 
benefit  of  others  much  more  than  their  own  profit  or 
glory. 

Francis.  But  a  person  may  mean  to  do  much  good 
and  never  be  able  to  do  it :  such  a  person  may  not  have 
in  his  power  others  whom  he  can  employ,  or  who  will 
assist  him.  Then,  how  will  it  be  known  that  he  is  a 
great  man? 

Mr.  Carhton.  It  may  not  be  known  to  every  body, 
but  such  a  person  will  still  be  great :  and  his  conversa- 
tion and  sentiments  will  express  his  great  and  noble 
understanding  and  disposition,  even  if  his  conduct  does 
not  show  it. 

"  The  world  knows  nothing  of  its  greatest  men :" 

says  a  poem  that  I  have  read  lately. 

Francis.  I  see  how  that  might  be.  Bonaparte  appeared 
to  be  a  wonderfully  great  man  after  he  had  been  crowned 
emperor;  and  every  body  remembered  that  not  long 
before  he  was  only  an  army  officer,  not  much  distin- 
guished. But  Bonaparte  at  St  Helena  does  not  appear 
to  be  a  great  man,  though  he  was  the  same  one  that  had 
gained  so  many  battles.    Now,  if  he  had  been  born  a 


GREAT    MEN    AND    WISE    MEN.  21 

day-labourer,  and  had  lived  where  there  were  no  wars 
in  which  he  could  have  been  distinguished,  his  greatness 
could  never  have  been  known ;  still  he  would  have  had 
the  same  great  mind. 

Mr.  Carleton.  Nothing  like  the  same  greatness  could 
have  appeared  in  his  actions,  but  he  would  have  been 
distinguished  among  his  fellows  for  the  decision  of  his 
conduct,  for  perseverance  in  whatever  he  undertook, 
and  for  authority  over  other  men's  minds.  He  was  a 
man  of  great  talents ;  but  his  character  stood  in  need  of 
virtue  to  render  him  truly  great.  I  will  tell  you  of  a 
man  that  was  always  great,  though  he  was  in  a  humble 
condition  of  life — that  was  Socrates. 

Francis.  I  have  read  his  history.  Socrates  was  the 
son  of  a  sculptor  at  Athens :  he  loved  truth  and  good- 
ness above  all  things.  He  taught  moral  philosophy  to 
every  person  who  would  listen  to  him ;  and,  when  his 
enemies  put  him  to  death,  because  he  reproved  their 
vices,  he  exhibited  the  utmost  patience,  and  forgave 
them  freely.  He  was  poisoned  with  hemlock,  400  years 
before  Christ. 

Mr.  Carleton.  Socrates  was  an  example  of  true  great- 
ness ;  and,  now  that  he  has  been  dead  2200  years,  men 
are  honouring  his  principles  and  his  example  as  much 
as  if  he  were  living-  among  us.  Moral  greatness  is  true 
greatness.  Bonaparte  was  a  great  man,  I  admit,  because 
he  had  a  great  mind — great  energy  of  character ;  and, 
if  it  had  not  been  for  his  enormous  selfishness,  and  his 
disregard  of  the  moral  welfare  and  real  improvement  of 


22  GREAT   MEN    AND   WISE   MEN. 

mankind,  he  might  have  done  the  greatest  good  of  any 
man  of  his  age. 

Francis.  But  it  appears  that  he  did  not  understand 
that  sort  of  service  to  mankind.  He  chiefly  wished  to 
make  the  men  of  all  Europe  submit  to  his  will,  without 
making  them  wiser  or  happier ;  and  it  was  well  for  them 
that  his  power  wTas  taken  from  him,  and  that  the  nations 
have  been  suffered  to  govern  themselves  in  their  own 
way :  and  it  appears  that  they  have  been  growing  better 
and  happier  ever  since. 


Francis.  Father,  after  our  conversation  upon  great 
men,  I  understood  better  a  verse  which  I  read  in  Gray's 
Elegy  in  a  country  church-yard : — 

"  Some  village  Hamptlen,  that,  with  dauntless  breast 
The  little  tyrant  of  his  fields  withstood : 
Some  mute  inglorious  Milton  here  may  rest, 
Some  Cromwell  guiltless  of  his  country's  blood." 

In  this  humble  church-yard  were  interred  the  men  of 
the  village  and  of  the  neighbourhood.  They  had  spent 
their  humble  lives  in  labouring  in  their  fields;  at  their 
own  firesides  with  their  own  families ;  or  in  such  little 
affairs  as  happened  in  their  native  village.  They  had 
no  opportunity  to  know  or  do  more  than  could  be  seen 
and  done  there. 


GREAT    MEN    AND    WISE    MEN.  23 

Mr.  Carleton.  Tell  me  the  particular  meaning  of  the 
lines. 

Francis.  I  will  tell  you  as  well  as  I  can.  Among 
those  humble  men  that  lie  here  interred,  there  may  rest 
those  who  would  not  submit  to  wrong  and  injury  more 
patiently  than  the  patriotic  Hampden:  there  may  be 
poets  who  never  wrote  a  verse,  who,  had  they  been 
educated  like  Milton,  might  have  been  eminent  as  he 
was :  and  there  may  also  be  reposing  here  some  men  as 
ambitious  as  Oliver  Cromwell,  but  who  never  had  an 
opportunity  to  take  the  life  of  fellow-creatures  that  stood 
in  their  way  as  he  did. 

Mr.  Carleton.  You  understand  the  verse,  I  perceive. 
Did  you  learn  who  Hampden,  Milton,  and  Cromwell 
were  ? 

Francis.  I  did.  I  read  some  account  of  them  in  Aikin's 
Dictionary ;  but  that  is  not  enough.  I  shall  read  more 
of  Hampden  and  Cromwell  in  English  history,  and  be 
better  acquainted  with  Milton  when  I  read  his  poetry. 

John  Hampden  was  an  English  patriot,  who  resisted 
the  arbitrary  measures  of  Charles  I.  king  of  England. 

Oliver  Cromwell  lived  at  the  same  time,  and  was  at 
the  head  of  a  party  in  England  that  chose  to  govern  the 
kingdom  in  a  manner  different  from  the  old  laws  of  the 
country.  He  made  himself  commander-in-chief  of  the 
army ;  and,  after  Charles  I.  was  beheaded,  he  ruled  over 
England  in  place  of  the  king,  styling  himself  the  Pro- 
tector, and  the  government  the  Commonwealth.  Crom- 
well was  in  many  respects  a  great  man,  and  governed 


24  GREAT   MEN    AND    WISE    MEN. 

with  wisdom ;  but  he  was  not  upright  and  sincere,  so 
that  a  moral  person  cannot  respect  him,  however  he  may- 
admire  his  abilities. 

Milton,  the  great  poet,  was  contemporary  writh  Crom- 
well and  Hampden ;  a  republican  and  a  friend  of  civil 
liberty.  Milton  was  blind  all  the  latter  part  of  his  life, 
but  he  exhibited  the  most  Christian  patience  in  this  his 
affliction.     Milton  died  1674.  * 

Mr.  Carleton.  This  is  a  brief  account;  my  son,  but  it 
shows  industry  and  thoroughness — that  you  know  how 
to  cultivate  your  mind,  and  that  you  are  willing  to  do 
it.  When  you  are  older,  you  will  find  great  use  from 
studying  in  this  w7ay. 

WISE  MEN. 

Francis  Carleton  read  Wise  Men  in  Evenings  at 
Home ;  and  while  they  were  taking  a  w^alk  one  day,  his 
father  and  he  discussed  the  subject,  returning  first  to 
great  men. 

Mr.  Carleton.  Francis,  what  do  you  understand  by 
a  great  man  or  icoman,  for  there  have  been  great 
women  ? 

Francis.  I  understand  that  a  great  man  is  one  who 
has  great  talents,  and  produces  great  effects  in  the  world  ; 
or?  if  he  has  no  opportunity  to  perform  great  actions, 
and  therefore  cannot  perform  them,  would  achieve 
them  if  he  had  an  opportunity  to  do  so.  He  knows  what 
is  great,  and  how  to  execute  great  enterprises.  If  such 
a  man  is  good,  then  he  is  more  truly  great. 


GREAT    MEN    AND    WISE  MEN.  25 

Mr.  Carleton.  Let  me  hear  you  describe  a  wise  man 
as  he  is  described  in  the  book  you  have  been  reading. 

Francis.  The  wise  man  is  one  that  knows  how  to 
make  himself  happy  without  injuring  others ;  how  to 
employ  his  time  usefully  and  agreeably  ;  to  improve  his 
mind,  and  do  good  to  other  people ;  and  he  wishes  to  do 
them  good. 

Mr.  Carleton.  Then  wisdom  includes  goodness.  "The 
wise  man  means  to  do  good,  and  knows  how  to  do  it" 
If  he  did  not  knpw  how  to  do  good,  he  would  be  a 
well-meaning  man,  but  not  a  wise  one.  What  was  the 
character  of  the  wise  man  in  Evenings  at  Home  ? 

Francis.  Mr.  Freeland  was  not  a  rich  man,  but  he 
took  the  best  possible  care  of  what  property  he  had.  He 
lived  with  economy  and  frugality — did  not  spend  more 
than  he  could  afford  in  his  house,  food,  or  clothes ;  but, 
at  the  same  time,  he  afforded  himself  innocent  pleasures. 
He  sometimes  purchased  books,  and  indulged  himself  in 
journeys,  I  suppose.  These,  you  know,  are  gratifications 
to  persons  that  can  afford  them. 

He  endeavoured  to  make  people  about  him  happy — 
gave  advice  to  ignorant  persons  when  they  would  take 
it,  and  reconciled  those  who  quarrelled.  He  was  so  far 
acquainted  with  the  laws  as  to  give  counsel  to  his  neigh- 
bours in  many  of  their  difficulties.  He  was  just,  and 
paid  what  he  owed  punctually :  he  also  assisted  in  be- 
nevolent objects — in  plans  to  make  people  wiser  and 
better;  and  he  observed  decorum  and  order  in  all  his 
conduct.  The  rich  respected,  and  the  poor  loved  him* 


26  GREAT    MEN    AND    WISE    MEN. 

Mr.  Carleton.  It  appears,  by  this  account  of  Mr. 
Freeland,  that  a  wise  man  makes  other  people  happy 
as  well  as  himself — that  the  more  happiness  he  bestows 
the  more  he  enjoys — that  great  part  of  his  happiness  is 
the  goodness,  the  gratitude,  and  good-will  of  others — 
that  the  true  use  of  living  is  to  confer  as  much  happi- 
ness upon  others  as  we  can  procure  for  them.  However 
learned,  accomplished,  or  entertaining  a  man  may  be, 
if  he  is  not  truly  benevolent,  he  is  not  truly  wise  nor 
good. 

Francis.  From  the  same  book,  I  learned  that  a  truly 
wise  man,  who  seeks  for  wisdom,  and  teaches  it  to  others, 
is  a  philosopher.  Socrates  and  Dr.  Franklin  were  both 
philosophers. 

Mr.  Carleton.  You  gave  me  an  account  of  Socrates  the 
other  day.  You  may  read  it  more  at  length  in  Xeno- 
phon's  Memorabilia — properly  Xenophon's  recollections 
of  Socrates.  The  Memorabilia  is  translated  from  Greek 
into  English,  and  gives  the  history  of  the  philosopher. 

Francis.  I  should  like  to  read  it  very  much,  and  the 
Life  of  Dr.  Franklin,  also. 

Mr.  Carleton.  Franklin  was  an  American,  who  was 
born  in  Boston,  1706,  and  died  at  Philadelphia  in  1790. 
His  history  is  very  entertaining :  I  will  not  tell  it  to  you, 
for  you  can  easily  get  the  book  which  contains  his  life 
written  by  himself.  I  believe  Franklin  owTed  a  great 
deal  to  his  father,  who  was  a  wise  man  without  being  a 
great  one ;   for  he  knew  the  true  end  of  living,  and 


GREAT    MEN    AND    WISE    MEN.  27 

instructed  his  son  in  good  principles — gave  him  good 
books,  and  set  a  good  example  before  him. 

Francis.  Who  was  Dr.  Franklin's  father  ? 

Mr.  Carleton.  He  was  a  tallow-chandler  and  soap- 
boiler, and  a  very  worthy  man,  as  his  son  has  described 
him ;  indeed,  he  was  an  extraordinary  man. 

They  had  reached  home,  and  the  conversation  ceased. 


The  next  day  Francis  enquired  further  concerning 
Franklin's  father;  and  Mr.  Carleton  readily  answered 
the  question,  "How  was  Josiah  Franklin  extraordi- 
nary V 

Mr.  Carleton.  He  was  a  man  of  extraordinary  inform- 
ation and  good  sense. 

Francis.  How  happened  that  1  I  heard  a  man  say  that 
a  tallow-chandler's  was  a  low  business.  I  thought  low 
business  made  low  people. 

Mr.  Carleton.  I  doubt  not  that  you  heard  that  foolish 
remark.  There  is  no  such  thing  as  a  low  business, 
except  it  be  followed  by  low  people ;  and  low  people  are 
low-minded  people — those  who  prefer  low  pleasures  and 
gratifications  to  higher  and  purer  ones. 

Francis.  But  would  you  make  no  difference  between 
a  labourer  and  a  gentleman  1 

Mr.  Carleton.  I  should  make  no  difference  in  esteem- 
ing them.  The  labourer's  virtues,  his  honesty  and 
industry,  would  command  my  respect  as  much  as  the 


28  GREAT    MEN    AND    WISE    MEN. 

gentleman's  honesty  and  industry.  I  should  make  a 
companion  and  friend  of  him  whose  habits  and  feelings 
resembled  my  own,  because  we  choose  friends  and 
companions  from  resemblance  and  sympathy;  but  I 
shall  always  honour  goodness,  and  show  respect  for  it 
wherever  it  exists. 

Francis.  The  bible  says,  God  is  no  respecter  of  per- 
sons— he  that  feareth  him  and  worketh  righteousness  is 
accepted  of  him. 

Mr.  Carleton.  That  signifies  that  God  has  no  esteem 
for  a  man's  wealth  or  his  high  station.  Whenever 
God  bestows  great  wealth  or  great  talents,  he  requires 
of  his  creatures  to  make  use  of  their  talents.  Those 
who  have  much  knowledge  can  teach  much  know- 
ledge— those  who  have  much  money  can  give  much 
to  those  that  need. 

Francis.  Did  Franklin's  father  do  much  good? 

Mr.  Carleton.  Yes ;  I  think  he  did  much  good  when 
he  educated  his  eminent  son,  taking  great  care  to  give 
him  good  habits  and  principles ;  and  he  had  his  reward. 
He  lived  in  peace,  and  was  respected  by  his  fellow- 
citizens  ;  and  after  his  death,  Benjamin  Franklin  placed 
a  monumental  stone  upon  his  grave,  in  honour  of  Josiah 
Franklin,  and  Abiah  Folger,  his  venerated  parents. 

Francis.  I  shall  always  remember  Franklin's  filial 
piety ;  and  remember,  with  veneration  for  his  goodness, 
that  the  great  philosopher  was  a  good  son,  as  well  as  a 
wise  man. 

Mr.  Carleton.   I  am  pleased  that  you  begin  to  pay 


GREAT   MEN    AND    WISE    MEN.  29 

attention  to  character— to  distinguish  good  and  evil — 
wisdom  and  folly.  This  is  mora]  discrimination.  One  of 
my  friends  has  written  a  few  lives  of  eminent  persons, 
for  the  instruction  of  the  young.  This  little  volume  is 
called  Biography  for  Schools,  or  Good  Examples  for 
Young  Persons.  Francis  was  delighted  with  the  antici- 
pation of  the  new  book ;  and,  in  due  time,  he  received  it 


QUESTIONS. 


Where  was  James  Brindley  born,  and  how  was  he  educated  ? — 
Was  Brindley  faithful  to  his  employer  1 — Was  he  successful  in  his 
labour  i — What  remarkable  instance  is  given  of  Brindley's  interest 
in  business. 

Of  what  use  was  this  extraordinary  exertion  of  Brindley  1 — What 
improvements  in  machinery  were  made  by  Mr.  Brindley] — Of 
what  service  is  transportation  to  mankind  ! — What  services  does 
an  engineer  render  to  society ! — Why  were  the  Duke  of  Bridge- 
water's  coal-mines  of  no  use  1 — Where  was  the  Duke  of  Bridge- 
water's  canal  1 

Was  the  construction  of  this  canal  ever  believed  to  be  impracti- 
cable I — When  was  the  canal  begun  and  finished  1 — What  other 
great  enterprise  did  Mr.  Brindley  engage  in  ? — What  was  the  most 
difficult  of  Mr.  B.'s  operations  1 — What  was  the  consequence  of  Mr. 
B.'s  successful  enterprises  1 

What  were  Mr.  B.'s  moral  qualities'? — Did  Mr.  B.  rejoice  in  the 
benefits  he  was  conferring  upon  society  1 — How  does  such  a  bene- 
factor to  mankind  compare  with  conquerors'? — What  greater 
works  than  Brindley's  have  been  accomplished  in  America'? — 
Why  are  some  smaller  enterprises  honoured  more  than  greater? 

Is  an  inventor  superior  to  an  imitator] — Are  great  minds  or 


30  GREAT    MEN    AND    WISE    MEN. 

high  stations  more  honourable] — What  makes  a  great  man 7 — 
Why  was  Columbus  a  great  man? — Who  are  benefactors  to 
society  % — If  a  man  has  no  power  to  do  great  actions,  can  he  be 
great  1 

Did  Bonaparte  always  appear  to  be  a  great  man  ? — Was  Bona- 
parte a  great  man? — Was  Socrates  a  great  man? — What  is  the 
difference  between  Bonaparte  and  Socrates  ? — What  has  been  the 
condition  of  Europe  since  the  fall  of  Bonaparte  ? 

What  verse  of  Gray's  Elegy  describes  the  greatness  of  obscure 
men? — What  is  the  meaning  of  that  verse? — Where  may  be  found 
accounts  of  Milton,  Hampden,  and  Cromwell  ? — Who  were  Hamp- 
den, Cromwell,  and  Milton  ? 

What  did  Francis  understand  by  the  phrase,  "  a  great  man"  ? — 
How  did  he  describe  a  wise  man  ? — How  did  Mr.  Freeland  show 
his  wisdom? — How  did  Mr.  F.  show  his  goodness? — How  does 
any  man  exhibit  wisdom  and  goodness  ? — Who  is  a  philosopher  ? 
— Who  was  Dr.  Franklin  ? — Was  Franklin's  father  a  wise  man  ? 

Was  Josiah  Franklin  an  extraordinary  man  ? — What  business 
is  honourable  ? — What  difference  exists  between  the  labourer  and 
the  gentleman? — How  does  God  regard  the  station  of  men? — 
Was  Josiah  Franklin  repaid  for  the  care  he  took  in  forming  his 
son's  character  ?  ■    j. 


(  31  ) 


MARCUS  AURELIUS  ANTONINUS. 


Goodness  and  wisdom  belong  to  no  particular  age  of 
the  world — to  no  particular  nation — to  no  station  in  life, 
exclusively.  There  are  men  that  love  truth  and  work 
righteousness,  everywhere,  at  all  times.  Some  persons 
despise  kings  and  princes,  and  seem  to  believe  that  they 
are  all  wicked :  they  ought  not  to  forget  Charlemagne, 
Alfred,  and  Peter  of  Russia,  and  a  multitude  more  that 
have  governed  smaller  states  with  the  purest  purpose  to 
civilize  and  exalt  their  subjects,  and  have  exhibited  equal 
love  to  man,  and  piety  to  God. 

I  Modern  princes,  who  are  taught  the  doctrines  of 
Christianity,  might  be  expected  to  rule  according  to  the 
laws  of  Christianity;  but  none  have  yet  taken  these 
laws  for  the  exact  rule  of  their  government,  or  of  their 
own  lives,  though  some  have  been  excellent  men.  Among 
the  rulers  of  the  earth,  there  are  few  that  have  left 
behind  them  more  beautiful  sentiments,  and  a  more  vir- 
tuous example,  than  the  Roman  Emperor,  Marcus 
Aurelius. 

The  Roman  Empire  comprehended  all  the  countries 
of  Europe,  Asia,  and  Africa,  which  surround  the  Medi- 
terranean.   The  inhabitants  of  these   countries  paid 


32  MARCUS    AURELIUS   ANTONINUS. 

taxes  or  tribute  to  Rome ;  some  served  in  the  Roman 
armies,  and  others  had  Roman  soldiers  stationed  among 
them  to  keep  them  in  order.  _ 

The  head  of  this  vast  empire  usually  resided  at  Rome. 
Some  of  the  Emperors  were  excessively  wicked ;  and 
others  were  virtuous  and  wise.  Among  them,  Nerva, 
Trajan,  and  Adrian,  governed  with  great  wisdom: 
these,  and  the  two  Antonines — Pius,  and  Marcus  Anto- 
ninus— are  sometimes  called  the  five  good  Emperors. 

Of  these,  Adrian  adopted  Antoninus  Pius  for  his  son 
and  successor ;  and  the  latter  adopted  Marcus  Aurelius, 
the  nephew  of  his  wife,  the  Empress  Faustina.  Marcus 
was  born  a.  d.  121.  His  father  died  when  he  was 
a  child,  and  his  education  was  the  best  then  given  to 
young  persons. 

He  had  masters  in  all  the  sciences  then  known — was 
taught  music  and  painting,  rhetoric  and  philosophy,  and 
all  manly  and  martial  exercises;  but,  of  all  learning, 
he  preferred  the  Stoic  philosophy.  This  philosophy  was 
learned  by  the  Romans  from  the  Greeks.  In  many 
respects  it  resembled  Christianity — commanding  men  to 
submit  to  Providence,  to  do  justly,  and  to  love  mercy ; 
though  it  was  very  imperfect  compared  with  the  teach- 
ings of  the  gospel. 

Antoninus  is  famous  chiefly  for  his  virtues,  and  for  the 
wisdom  proper  to  every  station  in  life.  Before  he  was 
called  to  govern  he  conducted  himself  with  the  sim- 
plicity and  moderation  of  a  private  person ;  and  when 
he  became  Emperor,  he  never  permitted  his  love  of 


MARCUS   AURELIUS   ANTONINUS.  33 

study  and  retirement  to  interfere  with  his  paternal  care 
of  the  empire.  He  was  never  instructed  in  Christianity; 
and  sometimes  engaged  in  wars  to  keep  revolted  pro- 
vinces in  subjection ;  but  he  set  small  value  upon  military 
glory  and  warlike  achievements. 

"  The  spider,"  said  he,  "  triumphs  in  having  ensnared 
a  poor  fly, — the  sportsman,  a  timid  hare, — the  fisherman, 
a  sturgeon ;  and  the  soldier  delights  in  seizing  a  party  of 
poor  Sarmatians.  Now,  are  not  all  these  equally  rob- 
bers?" 

Marcus  was  remarkable  for  docility  in  his  youth, 
and  for  gratitude  to  the  benefactors  of  his  mind.  He 
profited  by  their  counsels,  and  has  left  an  interesting 
record  of  his  obligations  to  them.  He  was  mild  and 
amiable  in  his  manners  towards  all,  and  was  distinguished 
by  his  candour  and  general  humanity. 

Marcus  Aurelius  died,  after  a  short  illness,  in  his  fifty- 
ninth  year,  at  Vindebonum,  on  the  Danube — now  Vienna. 
He  had  gone  there  to  subdue  some  of  the  northern  tribes, 
who  had  rebelled  against  the  Roman  authority.  The 
Romans  were  grateful  to  their  good  Emperors.  To 
manifest  their  affection,  they  caused  medals  of  them  to 
be  struck,  and  statues  and  busts  to  be  erected  in  honour 
of  them ;  and,  among  these,  the  image  of  Marcus  Aure- 
lius was  most  dear  to  the  Roman  people. 

Marcus  wrote  in  Greek  several  books  of  Meditations, 
which  are  still  preserved,  as  affording  valuable  lessons 
to  men  of  all  countries.     Some  memorials  of  his  friends, 

3 


34  MARCUS   AURELIUS   ANTONINUS. 

found  in  the  Meditations,  will  be  instructive  to  young 
people  of  the  present  time. 

"By  my  grandfather  Verus,"  says  Marcus,  in  his 
Meditations,  "I  was  taught  to  command  my  temper. 
From  my  Father,  I  learned  to  behave  with  modesty  and 
firmness. 

"  My  mother,  Domitia  Lucilla,  set  before  me  the 
example  of  true  piety  and  a  generous  temper ;  and  I  was 
taught  by  her,  not  only  to  refrain  from  every  wicked 
action,  but  from  indulging  so  much  as  a  wicked  thought 
By  her,  I  was  accustomed  to  simple  food,  to  abstain  from 
the  luxuries  of  the  table,  and  from  excessive  indulgence 
of  any  desire  or  inclination. 

"  From  the  Governor  who  had  the  charge  of  my  edu- 
cation, I  learned  to  avoid  disputes  in  the  Circus  or  the 
Amphitheatres,  the  Chariot  races,  or  the  combats  of 
Gladiators."  These  disputes  were  concerning  the  merits 
of  combatants  who  engaged  in  the  games  practised  in 
the  public  spectacles,  in  which  the  Romans  delighted — 
not  unlike  boat-races  and  horse-races  in  modern  times, 
except  that,  in  those  ancient  contests,  men  combated 
with  each  other,  and  took  each  other's  lives. 

"  My  Governor  also  taught  me  to  wait  upon  myself 
on  most  occasions;  not  to  interfere  impertinently  in 
other  people's  affairs,  nor  readily  to  listen  to  calumnies 
and  slander. 

"  My  friend,  Diognetus,  cautioned  me  against  credulity 
and  superstition — not  to  give  heed  to  pretended  prophets 
and  sorcerers.     He  also  took  me  to  hear  lectures  on 


MARCUS   AURELIUS   ANTONINUS.  35 

philosophy ;  and,  while  I  was  a  boy,  he  set  me  to  write 
exercises,  that  I  might  learn  to  express  my  thoughts  with 
ease  and  propriety. 

"  By  Rusticus,  another  friend,  I  was  taught  humility. 
He  told  me  that  I  had  faults  which  only  myself  could 
cure.  When  I  was  instructed  in  the  Stoic  philosophy, 
he  commended  to  me  to  forbear  from  disputes — from 
frequent  harangues  on  moral  subjects — and  from  seek- 
ing praise  for  any  knowledge  I  might  possess,  or  any 
good  action  I  might  perform. 

"  He  also  commended  to  me  not  to  cherish  too  much 
fondness  for  poetry  and  rhetoric,  or  any  ornamental 
learning — not  to  assume  importance  on  account  of  rich 
apparel,  or  the  high  station  which  Providence  had  placed 
me  in. 

"  He  particularly  urged  me  to  cultivate  a  placable 
disposition — to  forgive  all  who  should  injure  or  provoke 
me,  as  soon  as  they  should  be  disposed  to  return  to 
their  duty.  Rusticus  instructed  me,  besides,  to  read, 
with  care  and  attention,  and  to  reflect  upon  whatever  I 
read. 

"  Apollonius  taught  me  to  rule  my  feelings  on  trying 
occasions;  under  acute  pain,  tedious  sickness,  or  death 
of  those  I  loved.  By  his  living  example,  he  showed  me 
that  a  man  may  be  rigid  in  his  principles,  and  amiable 
and  gentle  in  his  manners — that  he  may  be  a  proficient 
in  philosophy  and  all  learning,  and  yet  take  no  pride  in 
concealing  or  explaining  what  he  knows. 

"  From  Apollonius  I  learned  how  to  confer,  and  how 


36  MARCUS    AURELIUS   ANTONINUS. 

to  receive  a  favour — to  do  the  former  freely,  without 
ostentation;  and  to  receive  kindness  with  cordial  and 
grateful  expressions,  yet  without  being  humbled  by  the 
sense  of  obligation. 

"  In  Sextus,  the  grandson  of  the  excellent  Plutarch,  I 
had  an  example  of  true  benevolence,  and  of  a  family 
governed  with  paternal  care  and  affection.  From  him, 
I  learned  to  study  the  wishes  of  my  friends,  and  to  bear 
with  the  ignorant ;  in  conversation,  to  hear  them  with- 
out impatience  and  pride,  and  to  condescend  to  their 
weakness. 

"  Sextus  never  discovered  any  symptoms  of  anger  or 
agitation  of  mind ;  but  he  manifested,  notwithstanding,  the 
most  lively  affections,  and  the  sincerest  attachment  to 
his  friends  and  relatives. 

"  Catulus  admonished  me  to  cherish  my  friends,  and 
carefully  to  avoid  all  provocation  of  them.  He  taught 
me,  likewise,  to  feel,  and  to  show  respect  to  those  who 
should  be  my  instructors  in  any  truth. 

"  My  kinsman,  Severus,  introduced  me  to  the  know- 
ledge of  many  excellent  men.  He  gave  me  a  true  no- 
tion of  a  commonwealth,  wThere  public  affairs  are  regu- 
lated by  regard  to  all  men  -equally.  From  him,  I  learned 
beneficence  and  liberality. 

"  From  the  example  of  Claudius  Maximus,  I  was 
taught  to  observe  in  my  behaviour  a  proper  mixture  of 
dignity  and  condescension — to  perform  readily,  and  with 
grace,  whatever  I  am  convinced  is  right,  and  expedient 
to  be  done. 


MARCUS   AURELIUS   ANTONINUS.  37 

"Claudius  was  so  esteemed  by  all  who  knew  him, 
that  whatever  he  said  they  were  convinced  was  true ; 
and  whatever  he  did  they  ascribed  always  to  good  inten- 
tion. He  was  ever  ready  to  do  a  good-natured  office, 
and  to  forget  an  ill-natured  one. 

"  To  the  Gods  my  thanks  are  due,  that  I  had  two 
excellent  grandfathers,  excellent  parents,  a  good  sister, 
good  preceptors,  kind  relations,  faithful  friends,  in  short, 
for  all  the  blessings  that  life  can  afford ;  and  that  I  have 
not  done  any  thing  to  offend  my  friends,  nor  ever  de- 
prived myself  of  their  favour  and  affection. 

"  I  rejoice  that  I  was  bred  up  under  the  wise  Anto- 
ninus— a  father  and  a  fJTince — who  was  the  most  proper 
person  in  the  world  to  extinguish  in  me  every  spark  of 
pride,  and  to  convince  me  that  one  who  represents  in 
his  own  person  the  majesty  of  a  sovereign,  may  yet 
preserve  the  simple  dignity  of  man,  without  guards, 
robes  of  state,  and  all  mere  parade  of  a  high  station. 

"  It  is  a  blessing  for  which  I  am  grateful,  that  I  enjoy 
the  friendship  of  wise  men ;  and  I  rejoice  that  I  have 
avoided  the  evil  counsels  of  the  wicked.  I  am  also 
grateful  that  I  have  lost  no  time  in  superfluous  studies, 
and  that  I  am  inclined  to  such  as  are  profitable.  All 
these  blessings  must  have  been  bestowed  by  the  favour 
of  an  over-ruling  Providence." 

It  is  written  in  the  New  Testament,  "  to  the  pure  all 
things  are  pure."     Antoninus  lived  among  depraved  and 


38  MARCUS    AURELIUS   ANTONINUS. 

wicked  men.  Evil  examples,  corrupt  conversation,  and 
great  vices,  were  always  before  him ;  but  he  turned, 
from  his  first  childhood,  away  from  all  these  to  the  pious 
counsels  of  the  good  Domitia — to  the  excellent  lessons 
of  rational  books — to  the  dictates  of  his  own  conscience 
— to  the  conversation  of  the  wise  and  prudent — to  that 
voice  of  God  in  the  soul  which  reproves  what  is  wrong 
in  men's  actions,  and  inspires  what  is  true,  and  good,  and 
benevolent. 

Thus  was  this  great  man  of  antiquity  saved  from  all 
the  temptations  that  surrounded  him,  and  disposed  to 
every  good  word  and  work;  and  thus  will  every  young 
mind  which  seeks  wisdom  from  the  wise — which  en- 
quires sincerely  what  is  right  and  wrong — which  studies 
things  pure,  lovely,  and  of  good  report,  become  a  fol- 
lower and  a  partaker  of  those  things. 


It  has  been  mentioned  that  the  Romans  commemo- 
rated their  good  emperors  in  medals.  In  Rome  there 
was  no  printing,  so  there  could  be  no  newspapers ;  but 
medals  served  to  give  information  like  a  gazette.  When- 
ever a  great  event  occurred,  a  medal  was  struck,  and 
great  numbers  were  sent  all  over  the  empire.  A  medal 
resembled  our  dollars  and  cents.  It  was  of  gold,  brass, 
and  copper ;  on  one  side  was  stamped  the  head  of  some 
great  person,  with  a  superscription  of  his  name,  and  the 
date  of  the  year. 

On  the  reverse,  or  other  side  of  the  medal,  some  other 


MARCUS   AURELIUS    ANTONINUS.  39 

figures  were  stamped.  When  Judea  was  taken  by  the 
Romans,  the  medal  which  commemorated  the  victory 
bore  the  figure  of  a  woman  in  tears,  sitting  under  a 
palm-tree.  The  palm-tree  was  a  native  of  the  country, 
and  the  woman  weeping  represented  the  afflicted  nation 
that  had  been  conquered.  "  Beneath  her  palm,  see  sad 
Judea  weep,"  said  an  English  poet,  concerning  this 
medal. 

The  Romans  used  to  preserve  these  medals ;  indeed, 
very  many  of  them  still  exist,  and  are  kept  in  collections 
that  are  much  valued  by  curious  people. 


QUESTIONS. 


Are  wisdom  and  virtue  found  in  every  station  in  life  1 — What 
was  the  character  of  Marcus  Aurelius] — What  countries  formed 
the  Roman  Empire'?— Who  were  the  five  good  emperors  of  Rome? 
— Who  educated  Marcus  1 — How  was  Marcus  educated] — In  what 
philosophy  ] — How  did  Marcus  profit  by  his  education  ! 

To  what  did  Marcus  compare  military  glory  2 — Was  Marcus 
grateful  to  his  teachers] — When  did  Marcus  Antoninus  die J — Did 
the  Roman  people  respect  their  good  emperors?  What  book  did 
Marcus  leave  ] — What  did  he  learn  from  his  father  and  grandfather  ? 
— What  was  taught  to  Marcus  by  his  mother  !  . 

Who  warned  Marcus  against  frivolous  dissipation] — Who  taught 
him  self-dependence,  and  respect  and  charity  towards  others] — 
Who  warned  him  against  superstition,  and  tauoftt  him  to  cultivate 
his  own  mind] — What  was  taught  him  by  Rusncus, — of  humility 
of  apparel,  &c., — of  placability,  and  of  reflection  1 — What  were  the 
instructions  and  example  of  Apollonius] — concerning  favours] 

What  was  the  example  of  Sextus] — Did  Sextus  govern   his 


40  PETER    OF    RUSSIA. 

temper? — What  counsel  was  given  to  Marcus  by  Catulus? — What 
service  was  rendered  to  Marcus  by  Severus? — and  by  Claudius 
Maximus? — Was  Claudius  generous  and  placable? — Whom  did  the 
wise  heathen  praise  for  all  benefits  ? 

Did  Antoninus  Pius  respect  human  nature  ? — Did  Marcus  An- 
toninus acknowledge  Divine  Providence? — Was  Marcus  good 
himself,  besides  being  well-taught  ? — How  may  any  young  person 
emulate  the  example  of  Marcus  Antoninus? 

What  is  a  medal,  and  what  was  its  use  ? — What  design  com- 
memorated the  conquest  of  Judea  by  the  Romans? — What  use  did 
the  Romans  make  of  medals  ? 


PETER  OF  RUSSIA. 


The  history  of  Peter  of  Russia  is  both  entertaining 
and  instructive.  Peter  was  a  great  monarch,  and  did 
great  good  to  his  subjects.  In  order  to  be  useful  to  his 
people,  he  knew  that  he  must  improve  himself,  and  be 
informed  of  the  arts  and  sciences  which  he  wished  them 
to  understand  and  practise. 

Peter  was  the  sovereign  of  a  vast  empire,  and  could 
do  much  more  good  than  a  private  person ;  but  still  his 
conduct  may  he  imitated  by  the  humblest  individual. 
His  desire  of  knowledge,  his  activity,  and  his  zeal  to 
improve  others,  form  an  example  which  every  youth 
and  every  man  and  woman  can  follow  if  they  will. 


PETER    OF   RUSSIA.  41 

Perfectly  to  understand  the  merits  of  Peter,  it  is  ne- 
cessary to  know  something  of  the  empire  over  which  he 
reigned  for  more  than  forty  years.  Russia  is  the  largest 
country  of  Europe ;  and,  besides  that  portion  of  the 
empire  which  lies  in  Europe,  it  extends  across  northern 
Asia  to  the  Pacific  ocean,  and  includes  part  of  the  north- 
western coast  of  America. 

These  vast  regions,  with  their  inhabitants,  are  ruled 
by  the  Emperor  of  all  the  Russias — such  is  his  title. 
Peter's  dominions  did  not  include  Poland  nor  Russian 
America.  His  subjects  were,  probably,  about  fourteen 
millions. 

The  Emperor  of  Russia  is  an  absolute  prince ;  that 
is,  whatever  he  commands  to  be  done  must  be  done 
without  consulting  any  book  of  laws ;  though  there  are 
written  laws  in  Russia,  and  magistrates  to  enforce  them. 
But,  though  the  Emperor  is  an  absolute  monarch,  he 
takes  advice  from  a  council  of  state,  composed  of  some 
of  the  chief  men  in  the  empire. 

European  Russia  is  divided  into  fifty-three  provinces, 
and  each  of  these  provinces  has  a  governor  and  courts 
of  justice.  The  Emperor  and  his  officers  used  formerly 
to  inflict  very  cruel  and  unjust  punishments  for  slight 
offences,  and  sometimes  out  of  mere  abuse  of  power, — 
such  as  sending  persons  to  Siberia  for  life,  or  condemn- 
ing them  to  work  in  the  mines,  besides  the  most  cruel 
infliction  of  blows. 

European  Russia  affords  metals,  salt,  wood,  grain, 
and  all  the  domestic  animals  that  we  use,  besides  the 


42  PETER   OF    RUSSIA. 

Rein-deer,  which  is  so  particularly  valuable  in  northern 
European  countries.  Agriculture,  manufactures,  fish- 
eries, and  trade  of  all  kinds,  flourish  in  Russia ;  though 
the  Russians  are  still  the  least  civilised  people  in  Europe. 

It  is  said  that  the  Russian  dominions  contain  eighty- 
distinct  nations — different  in  manners,  language,  customs, 
knowledge,  and  ingenuity.  The  hunter  and  fisher,  with- 
out lands  or  money — the  shepherd,  dwelling  in  his  move- 
able tent,  possessing  nothing  but  his  flock,  and  exchanging 
its  fleece  for  the  necessaries  of  life — the  industrious 
husbandman,  and  the  skilful  artisan,  are  all  found  in  this 
vast  country,  together  with  the  great  nobleman,  who 
holds  the  labourer  as  his  property  and  slave. 

The  numerous  tribes  scattered  over  the  face  of  Rus- 
sia many  centuries  ago,  governed  themselves  separately, 
in  a  very  rude  way.  A  tribe  that  dwelt  along  the 
Danube,  called  the  Sclavonians,  became  stronger  than 
the  others,  and  overran  and  conquered  several  of  the 
southern  provinces  in  the  ninth  century.  One  of  the 
Sclavonic  princes  (Rubric),  first  called  his  dominions 
Russia.     The  whole  country  is  often  called  Muscovy. 

A  Sclavonian  prince  married  a  Greek  princess  of 
Constantinople;  and,  in  that  city,  became  acquainted 
with  the  Christian  religion.  The  Christians  of  Con- 
stantinople had  formed  what  is  called  the  Greek  Church. 
The  government  and  worship  of  the  Greek  Chuch  re- 
semble the  Roman  Catholic. 

Vladimir,  the  Russian  prince  just  mentioned,  was  a 
religious  man,  and  prayed  to  God  that  he  might  be  the 


PETER   OF   RUSSIA.  43 

means  of  converting  his  subjects  from  heathenism  to 
true  religion;  and  he  succeeded  in  putting  down  the 
worship  of  idols,  and  establishing  the  Greek  Church, 
which  continues  to  be  the  principal  religion  of  Russia. 

In  1238  the  Tartars  from  middle  Asia  ravaged  Rus- 
sia, and  established  themselves  in  it  as  conquerors. 
They  divided  the  territory  and  its  inhabitants  among 
themselves.  The  chief  men  became  lords  of  the  soil,  or 
nobility ;  and  the  poor  natives  were  made  to  cultivate  it 
for  these  new  masters  as  serfs  or  slaves. 

In  1476,  Ivan,  a  native  prince,  conquered  the  northern 
provinces,  and  expelled  the  Tartars;  that  is,  he  over- 
threw some  that  pretended  to  reign  over  the  country, 
though  he  could  not  dispossess  the  great  lords,  nor  did 
he  alter  the  institution  of  nobility  and  serfs,  which  con- 
tinues to  this  day. 

Ivan  was  acknowledged  as  the  sovereign  from  the 
White  Sea  to  the  Danube,  and  was  the  first  called  Czar 
or  Tzar :  this  word  signifies  the  great.  This  Ivan,  and 
his  son  and  successor,  learned  the  useful  and  peace- 
ful arts  in  Constantinople;  and,  from  this  time,  the 
Russians  cultivated  some  of  these  arts  among  themselves, 
being  encouraged  by  their  sovereign,  and  instructed 
according  to  his  directions. 

The  Tzars  who  succeeded  Ivan  I.  and  II.  proceeded 
with  the  civilisation  of  Russia.  The  people  began  to 
purchase  goods  brought  into  their  country  by  land  from 
other  neighbouring  nations  more  civilised  than  they,  and 
to  exchange  their  own  commodities  with  foreigners. 


44  PETER   OF   RUSSIA. 

They  obtained  information  in  this  way  from  Germany 
and  Italy ;  and  the  Tzar  Alexis  at  length  invited  learned 
and  enterprising  foreigners  to  settle  in  Russia. 

The  Russians,  for  four  centuries,  have  been  slowly 
acquiring  knowledge  from  the  civilised  nations  of  Europe; 
and  Peter,  of  all  their  princes,  in  procuring  this  know- 
ledge for  them,  rendered  the  most  important  services  to 
his  people. 

The  inhabitants  of  Russia  are  still  divided  into  No- 
bility, Serfs,  and  the  Middle  Class.  The  middle  class  con- 
sists of  clergymen,  merchants,  and  those  who  cultivate 
learning  and  science.  The  nobility  own  the  soil,  and 
claim  as  their  property  the  serfs  that  labour  upon  it. 
The  serfs  may  be  sold  with  an  estate,  but  not  into  a 
foreign  country,  nor  to  any  other  purchaser  than  a 
nobleman.  The  landlord  is  obliged  to  maintain  the 
serf  when  he  becomes  old  and  infirm,  and  also  to 
support  his  children.  The  serfs,  like  all  slaves,  are  very 
ignorant. 

This  brief  account  of  Russia  has  been  written  to 
explain  the  following  memoir  of  Peter  the  Great. 


The  Tzar  Peter,  commonly  called  Peter  the  Great, 
was  born  in  1672.  His  father,  Alexis  Michaelovitz, 
was  an  able  prince :  he  knew  that  his  subjects  were  rude 
and  ignorant,  and  he  endeavoured  as  much  as  possible 
to  civilise  them.  Alexis  died  in  1677,  when  Peter,  the 
youngest  of  his  children,  was  about  five  years  old. 


PETER   OF   RUSSIA.  45 

Peter's  eldest  brother,  Theodore,  died  at  the  age  of 
twenty-two,  and  John,  the  younger,  was  unfit  to  reign, 
so  that  Peter  became  Tzar  when  he  was  very  young; 
but  his  sister,  the  princess  Sophia,  opposed  him,  and 
created  much  disturbance  in  the  country.  Notwithstand- 
ing the  intrigues  of  his  sister,  when  Peter  came  to  be 
eighteen  years  of  age,  he  was  acknowledged  the  Tzar 
by  the  nation. 

Peter  did  not  receive  a  very  careful  education,  but 
he  was  taught  enough  to  know  that  he  could  cultivate 
his  own  mind,  and  that  his  duty  required  of  him  to  cul- 
tivate his  people,  and  make  them  happier  and  wiser 
than  he  found  them.  The  discipline  of  his  army  seemed 
to  him  a  very  important  matter. 

.  An  army  is  a  large  number  of  officers  and  soldiers, 
kept  in  order,  and  paid,  and  taught  how  to  fight — that 
is,  how  to  kill  their  fellow-beings.  At  the  present  time, 
in  every  civilised  country,  the  best  people  know  that  war 
is  a  great  crime,  and  very  unnecessary ;  and  war  does 
not  happen  so  often  as  it  did  one  or  two  centuries  ago. 

Russia  bordered  upon  Turkey  and  Tartary ;  and  the 
Turks  and  Tartars  would  have  entered  and  devastated 
the  country,  had  they  not  been  afraid  to  do  so:  and 
nothing  would  make  them  afraid  but  a  powerful  army. 
Peter's  father  had  been  careful  to  train  soldiers,  and 
his  son  was  equally  anxious  to  keep  up  the  military 
power. 

Peter  was  concerned  also  to  promote  the  arts  of 
peace,  and  he  encouraged  some  Germans  to  come  into 


46  PETER    OF   RUSSIA. 

Russia  and  begin  manufactures  and  trades;  he  also 
invited  ship-carpenters  and  ship-captains  from  Holland 
to  enter  his  service ;  and,  being  fond  of  the  water,  he 
learned  to  navigate  a  vessel  himself. 

When  he  was  a  child,  Peter  was  afraid  of  water; 
but,  as  he  grew  old  enough  to  know  that  his  fear  was 
foolish,  he  resolved  to  overcome  it.  A  Dutchman  by 
the  name  of  Brandt  built  him  a  little  vessel,  and  a  Dutch 
sailor  was  employed  to  teach  him  to  navigate  her. 
He  succeeded  admirably,  and  soon  took  a  voyage  on 
the  sea. 

He  embarked  at  Archangel,  and  sailed  one  hundred 
and  fifty  miles  on  the  Frozen  Ocean.  He  told  Musch, 
the  captain  of  the  ship,  that  he  had  learned  the  military 
service  like  a  common  soldier,  and  would  learn  to  be  a 
sailor  in  the  same  way.  He  would  perform  the  whole 
duty  himself,  and  then  the  young  Russian  nobles  could 
not  complain  when  they  should  be  commanded  to  do  it. 

It  must  have  been  a  curious  sight  to  see  a  sovereign 
prince  sweep  a  cabin,  light  and  keep  up  the  fire  of  a 
stove,  and  serve  at  table.  He  next  learned  to  obey  the 
captain's  orders  as  a  sailor — to  go  aloft,  loose  the  sails, 
and  do  whatever  else  belonged  to  the  sailor's  business. 

Musch,  when  he  saw  Peter  climb  to  the  mast-head, 
was  greatly  alarmed  lest  he  should  fall  and  break  his 
neck ;  but  Peter  persisted.  He  did  all  this  as  an  exam- 
ple to  others,  and  was  grateful  to  the  captain  for  his 
instructions,  and  did  not  forget  to  reward  him  by  hand- 
some presents. 


PETER   OF   RUSSIA.  47 

The  skipper,  Musch,  died  soon  after,  and  Peter  sent 
his  widow  a  considerable  sum  of  money.  Another 
instance  of  his  good  disposition  deserves  mention.  Once, 
when  out  at  sea,  a  storm  arose  while  Peter  held  the 
helm,  though  the  proper  helmsman  thought  he  knew  best 
how  to  guide  the  vessel.  "  Stand  out  of  my  way," 
called  out  the  impatient  seaman,  pushing  Peter  aside, 
and  seizing  the  helm  as  he  spoke :  "  I,"  said  he,  impa- 
tiently, "  must  know  better  than  you  how  to  steer  a 
vessel."  Peter  gave  up  the  helm,  and  the  man  soon 
succeeded  in  bringing  the  ship  through  a  dangerous  pas- 
sage among  rocks  to  safe  anchor.  He  then  remembered 
how  disrespectfully  he  had  spoken  to  Peter,  and  imme- 
diately begged  his  forgiveness. 

"  There  is  nothing  to  forgive,"  said  the  Tzar  ;  "  I  owe 
you  nothing  out  thanks, — not  only  that  you  rescued  me 
from  danger,  but  also  gave  me  a  proper  rebuke."  He 
then  made  the  man  a  present  of  his  drenched  clothes, 
and  gave  him  a  small  pension. 

This  treatment  of  the  honest  sailor  was  no  more  than 
was  due  to  him,  so  far  as  the  kind  answer  goes ;  but  a 
very  little  justice  and  benevolence  in  princes  is  account- 
ed often,  though  not  justly,  of  more  worth  than  the  same 
courtesy  or  benevolence  in  common  men.  Peter  often 
felt  that  a  sovereign  prince  is  only  a  man,  and  that  other 
men  were  his  brothers  and  friends.  In  thinking  and 
acting  thus,  he  showed  his  wisdom  and  goodness. 


48  PETER  OF  RUSSIA. 

Peter  could  not  have  known  how  to  improve  his 
army,  and  his  subjects  in  general,  if  he  had  no  adviser 
and  assistant.  He  was  so  happy  as  to  find  one  in  a 
Swiss  gentleman  from  Geneva.  His  name  was  Le  Fort. 
This  young  man  had  been  educated  for  a  soldier — had 
served  as  one  in  Holland — and  had  come  to  Russia  to 
obtain  some  commission  in  the  military  service  there. 

A  Danish  gentleman,  residing  at  Moscow,  became 
acquainted  with  Le  Fort ;  he  also  knew  Peter,  then  only 
eighteen  years  of  age :  and  had  learned  from  that  young 
prince  his  ardent  desire  to  improve  his  subjects.  Le 
Fort  seemed  to  that  gentleman  a  proper  person  to  give 
information  to  Peter,  and  he  introduced  him  to  the 
Tzar. 

Le  Fort  possessed  a  fund  of  useful  knowledge;  he 
had  observed  the  manners  and  arts  of  the  more  polished 
nations  of  Europe,  and  was  also  acquainted  with  military 
affairs.  The  Tzar  was  so  much  delighted  and  instructed 
by  his  conversation,  that  he  became  his  most  attached 
favourite,  and  accompanied  him  wherever  he  went. 

Le  Fort  gave  Peter  the  information  he  needed — taught 
him  how  to  discipline  his  soldiers  and  establish  a.  navy  ; 
and  how  to  obtain  money  from  the  people  in  a  way  that 
should  not  distress  them,  and  which  they  should  not  be 
unwilling  to  pay  for  the  public  benefit.  By  obtaining 
money  for  Peter,  Le  Fort  enabled  him  to  do  whatever 
he  wished.  That  which  can  be  paid  for,  of  art  and 
labour,  can  generally  be  obtained,- sooner  or  later. 

On  one  occasion,  when  Peter  was  offended  at  Le 


PETER    OF    RUSSIA.  49 

Port,  he  drew  his  sword,  and  commanded  him  to  defend 
himself.  "  Far  be  it  from  me,"  said  Le  Fort ;  "  rather 
let  me  die  by  the  hand  of  my  sovereign."  Peter,  not 
reproved  by  this  forbearance,  raised  his  sword ;  but  one 
of  his  attendants,  Von  Prinsen,  caught  hold  of  his  arm, 
and  probably  saved  the  life  of  Le  Fort. 

Peter  was  immediately  convinced  of  his  folly,  and 
showed  the  same  concern  for  it  which  Alexander  ex- 
pressed after  the  murder  of  Clytus;  for  he  instantly 
asked  pardon  of  Le  Fort,  and  remarked — "  My  greatest 
desire  is  to  reform  my  subjects ;  I  am  ashamed  that  I 
cannot  reform  myself." 

It  is  apparent  that  he  did  not  much  try  to  reform 
himself.  Self-discipline,  or  the  constant  endeavour  to 
do  right,  is  a  duty  before  all  others — one  of  which  no 
man,  or  youth,  ought  to  say — "  I  cannot  do  it." 

The  peninsula  of  Crimea,  which  forms  the  southern 
extremity  of  Russia,  was  then  occupied  by  the  Tartars, 
who  could  easily  march  northward,  and  ravage  the 
adjacent  territory.  Peter  determined  to  dispossess  them, 
and  to  enjoy  the  navigation  of  the  Black  Sea  undisturbed. 
There  he  placed  ships ;  and,  by  means  of  his  army  and 
navy,  took  the  port  of  Azoph,  and  established  his  own 
power  at  sea :  but  he  did  not  obtain  the  Crimea,  though 
he  put  the  Tartars  in  fear  of  his  power. 

How  much  he  was  indebted  to  the  counsels  of  Le 
Fort  for  all  this  is  not  exactly  known ;  but  that  gentle- 
man conferred  on  him  a  higher  benefit — he  taught  him, 
in  some  measure,  to  practise  humanity  when  he  was 

4 


50  PETER    OF    RUSSIA. 

provoked  to  inflict  wrong;  for  his  temper  was  out- 
rageous, and  he  had  never  been  taught  from  the  Scrip- 
tures that,  "  he  that  ruleth  his  spirit  is  greater  than  he 
that  taketh  a  city." 

It  must  be  remembered  that  Peter  was  a  despotic 
sovereign,  and  could  take  the  life  or  property  of  his 
subjects  whenever  he  pleased.  This  sort  of  power 
tempts  a  man  to  do  much  evil,  if  he  has  the  least  incli- 
nation to  be  unjust  or  cruel.  Whenever  Peter  was 
angry  with  a  person,  he  would,  without  any  shame, 
strike  him  at  the  moment,  or  order  him  to  be  beaten,  or 
beheaded ;  just  as  he  might  happen  to  be  provoked. 

Le  Fort  was  accustomed  to  see  his  fellow-men  more 
humanely  treated;  and  he  used  his  influence  over  the 
Tzar  to  mitigate  his  ferocious  passions.  Sometimes 
Peter  would  order  a  boyar,  or  nobleman,  and  some- 
times a  poor  workman,  who  had  offended  him,  to  be 
beaten  with  the  knout,  or  put  to  death  for  slight  cause. 

On  such  occasions,  Le  Fort  would  entreat  the  en- 
raged monarch  rather  to  inflict  the  punishment  upon  him 
than  commit  such  injustice ;  or  to  suspend  the  punish* 
ment  till  he  could  reflect  upon  what  he  was  ordering. 
In  this  way,  he  would  soften  his  wrath,  and  save  the 
intended  victim ;  and  thus,  by  his  humanity  and  good 
offices,  he  became  a  universal  favourite  among  all  classes 
in  Russia. 

The  city  of  Azoph  had  been  taken  by  following  the 
advice  of  General  Patrick  Gordon,  a  Scotch  officer,  who 


#        PETER    OF    RUSSIA.  51 

commanded  in  the  Russian  army.  The  benefits  that 
Peter  derived  from  the  services  of  Le  Fort  and  General 
Gordon  convinced  him  that  the  natives  of  Western 
Europe  were  greatly  superior  to  his  own  barbarous 
subjects,  and  he  resolved  to  obtain  for  some  of  the 
young  nobles  of  Russia  an  education  that  should  elevate 
them  to  equality  with  the  men  of  other  countries. 

In  pursuance  of  this  design,  Peter  ordered  Le  Fort 
to  select  sixty  young  men  to  travel  abroad  for  informa- 
tion ;  and  this  number  was  sent,  at  the  public  expense, 
into  Italy,  Germany,  and  Holland.  Nor  did  he  limit 
this  education  to  his  subjects — he  determined  to  pro- 
cure it  for  himself,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-five, 
departed  for  Holland. 

The  priests  of  Russia  were  extremely  ignorant  at  that 
time,  and  declared  it  was  an  abomination  before  the 
Lord  for  a  Tzar  of  Russia  to  go  into  foreign  and  bar- 
barous parts,  as  they  called  the  rest  of  the  world.  Peter, 
however,  did  not  pay  much  respect  to  this  opinion,  and, 
in  1697,  left  Russia.* 

Before  his  departure,  Peter  took  measures  to  keep  his 
people  in  order,  and  left  Moscow  under  command  of 
General  Gordon,  at  the  head  of  four  thousand  soldiers. 
Forethought,  or  caution,  was  among  the  virtues  of 
Peter.  The  prudence  which  preserves  what  our  labour 
or  wisdom  has  gained,  is  necessary  to  complete  any  good 
work  we  have  begun. 


52  PETER   OF   RUSSIA.        , 

When  Peter  went  to  Holland,  he  accompanied  an 
embassy  from  Russia.  The  nature  of  an  embassy  may 
not  be  understood  by  every  young  reader.  An  ambas- 
sador is  a  messenger  from  one  country  to  another,  sent 
by  the  king  or  government  to  some  other,  to  transact 
business  which  concerns  the  two  states. 

The  kings  of  Europe  keep  what  is  called  a  Court. 
There  they  receive  visits  from  foreign  ambassadors, 
and  from  such  of  their  subjects  as  are  of  a  high  station. 
Some  persons  consider  it  a  high  honour  to  be  presented 
at  court,  or  introduced  there  among  the  nobles  of  many 
lands. 

European  ambassadors  are  usually  attended  with  a 
large  train,  or  retinue  of  gentlemen  and  servants.  They 
are  all  splendidly  dressed,  and  have  fine  horses  and 
coaches,  and  are  furnished  with  money  to  live  in  luxury. 
The  richer  the  country  which  sends  out  the  ambassa- 
dor, the  more  sumptuously  is  the  whole  embassy  fitted 
out.  Peter's  embassy  to  Holland  consisted  of  two 
hundred  persons. 

At  the  present  time,  ambassadors  from  Europe  to 
America  do  not  live  with  much  state.  They  are  attended 
by  two  or  three  gentlemen — one  commonly  called  the 
Secretary  of  Legation — and  are  treated  with  respect 
every  way,  but  without  needless  parade.  Great  ex- 
pense for  mere  show  is  now  accounted,  by  all  persons 
of  good  sense,  to  be  frivolous  and  useless.  American 
ambassadors  live  in  foreign  countries  without  ostentation 
or  prodigal  expense. 


PETER    OF    RUSSIA.  53 

It  would  have  been  very  inconvenient  to  Peter  to  have 
appeared  like  a  sovereign  when,  in  fact,  he  went  abroad 
to  become  a  pupil :  not  to  receive  attention  as  a  great 
man,  but  to  acknowledge  his  inferiority  to  architects, 
shipwrights,  and  manufacturers,  and  to  take  lessons 
from  them:  so  he  only  travelled  with  the  embassy, 
and  was   known   in  Holland  by  the   name   of  Peter 


Before  the  embassy  reached  Amsterdam,  Peter  left 
it,  with  a  few  followers,  and  repaired  to  Zaandam.*  As 
the  boat  in  which  Peter  and  his  party  were,  approached 
the  land,  one  of  the  party  recognised,  in  a  sma]l  fishing- 
boat,  a  man  by  the  name  of  Kist,  who  had  worked  as  a 
smith  in  Russia,  and  immediately  hailed  him.  Kist 
answered  and  came  up.  He  knew  the  Tzar,  and  was 
exceedingly  surprised  to  see  the  lord  of  all  the  Russias 
sailing  in  a  little  boat,  dressed  like  a  Dutch  skipper,  in  a 
red  jacket  and  white  linen  trowsers. 

Peter  told  Kist  he  wanted  lodgings,  and  should  like 
to  take  them  with  him.  Kist  was  a  poor  man,  and  had 
no  disposition  to  take  such  a  lodger ;  and  he  told  Peter 
that  he  could  not  make  him  comfortable  in  his  humble 
dwelling  :  but  the  Tzar  persisted,  and  accompanied  Kist 
to  his  hut,  where,  however,  he  did  not  remain.  A  poor 
widow  lived  in  a  very  mean  house  behind  Kist's,  and 
she  was  persuaded  to  give  it  up  to  the  royal  stranger, 
who  took  a  liking  to  it. 

*  A  village  three  miles  from  Amsterdam. 


54  PETER   OF    RUSSIA. 

The  widow's  premises  consisted  of  two  rooms,  a  loft 
over  them,  and  an  adjoining  shed.  There  Peter  estab- 
lished himself,  giving  Kist  strict  injunctions  to  tell  no- 
body who  he  was ;  but  a  crowd  of  men  soon  surrounded 
the  house,  eager  to  know  who  the  strangers  were,  for 
Peter's  companions  wore  the  rich  dresses  to  which  they 
were  accustomed.  Peter  spoke  Dutch  fluently,  and 
told  the  inquisitive  people,  in  order  to  satisfy  them,  that 
he  and  his  companions  were  ship-carpenters,  come  to 
look  for  work  at  Zaandam.  The  crowd  did  not  believe 
this,  but  went  away  without  other  information. 

The  first  business  that  Peter  went  upon,  exhibited  an 
excellent  trait  in  his  character:  he  enquired  out  the 
families  and  the  widows  of  the  Dutch  seamen,  and  car- 
penters, whom  he  had  seen  and  worked  with  in  Russia, 
representing  himself  to  them  as  a  fellow- workman  with 
their  relatives  in  his  country.  This  misrepresentation  of 
himself  is  not  commendable ;  but  his  civility  and  kind- 
ness to  these  humble  and  obscure  persons  was  a  proof 
of  his  humanity,  and  reproves  the  foolish  pride  of  those 
who  disdain  and  neglect  the  poor. 

Among  those  visited  by  Peter  was  the  widow  of 
Musch,  to  whom  he  had  previously  sent  money.  This 
poor  woman  told  her  visiter,  she  was  afraid  she  never 
could  be  thankful  enough  to  the  Tzar  for  his  great  kind- 
ness, and  entreated  Peter  Baas,  if  he  should  ever  come 
into  the  presence  of  his  majesty,  that  he  would  tell  him 
how  welcome  was  his  bounty,  and  how  gratefully  she 


PETER    OF   RUSSIA.  55 

remembered  it.  Peter  assured  the  widow  that  the  Tzar 
should  know  how  thankful  she  was. 

Peter  next  visited  the  shops  of  artisans,  and  purchased 
tools  for  himself  and  his  attendants,  whom  he  directed 
to  dress  themselves  like  labourers  in  the  dock-yard,  and 
prepare  to  work  at  ship-building  as  well  as  himself. 
But  all  these  disguises  could  not  hinder  the  people  of 
Zaandam  from  following  the  Russians  in  crowds,  which 
was  very  annoying  to  Peter,  who  had  a  strong  antipathy 
to  a  multitude. 

It  happened  that  a  Dutchman,  residing  in  Archangel, 
had  written  home  to  his  friends  that  Peter  was  about  to 
visit  Holland ;  and,  after  giving  some  description  of  his 
person,  he  enclosed  a  small  likeness  of  him  in  his 
letter.  A  barber  of  Amsterdam,  who  had  seen  the 
letter  and  the  print,  recognised  the  Tzar  as  soon  as  he 
saw  him. 

Peter  spent  most  of  his  time  in  the  dock-yards ;  and 
the  shipwrights  were  astonished  to  see  him  labour  till 
the  sweat  ran  down  his  face.  He  purchased  a  vessel 
at  Zaandam,  made  a  new  bowsprit  for  her  with  his 
own  hands,  and  fitted  her  for  sea;  and  he  appointed 
Gerrit  Musch,  the  brother  of  his  friend  at  Archangel, 
his  captain. 

Peter  might  daily  be  seen  at  work  in  the  ship-yard ; 
and,  when  any  one  wished  to  speak  with  him,  he  would 
go  with  his*  adze  in  his  hand,  and  sit  down  on  a  log  of 
timber  for  a  short  time ;  but  he  seemed  anxious  to  re- 
sume his  work.    At  this  time,  he. wrote  to  the  Patriarch 


56  PETER    OF    RUSSIA. 

of  Russia — the  chief  priest, — that  he  was  now  obedient 
to  the  command — "  In  the  sweat  of  thy  brow  shalt  thou 
eat  thy  bread." 

Peter,  when  he  was  in  Russia,  before  this  time,  had 
shown  his  capacity  for  labour.  Once,  visiting  an  iron 
manufactory,  he  forged  several  bars,  and  marked  them 
with  his  own  name.  He  made  his  companions  blow 
the  bellows,  stir  the  fire,  carry  coals,  and  do  all  the  work 
of  journeymen  blacksmiths.  He  then  demanded  pay- 
ment for  what  he  had  done ;  and,  having  received  the 
money,  he  said,  "  This  will  buy  me  a  pair  of  shoes ;" 
and  showed  that  those  he  wore  had  been  soled.  He 
afterwards  bought  a  pair  of  shoes  at  a  neighbouring 
shop,  saying,  "  He  had  earned  them  with  the  hammer 
and  anvil." 

Peter's  companions  wrere  not  so  fond  of  labour.  One 
of  them,  Menzikoff,  complained  that  work  made  his 
hands  sore :  being  soon  tired  of  heaving  and  hammer- 
ing, they  all  got  themselves  excused,  and  spent  their 
time  in  feasting  and  frolicking.  Peter  did  not  confine 
his  attention  to  ship-building,  but  observed  every  thing 
that  could  be  useful  to  his  people. 

This  curiosity  was  by  no  means  unprofitable.  He 
visited  whale-ships,  and  investigated  the  whole  matter  of 
obtaining  and  manufacturing  oil — he  also  visited  mills 
of  all  sorts — those  for  grinding  grain,  or  pressing  oil,  or 
making  paper,  and  examined  the  principles  on  which 
they  were  constructed.  "What  is  that?"  he  asked 
twenty  times  in  a  day ; .  and  as  often  he  said,  when  told 


PETER   OF    RUSSIA.  57 

of  something  new,  "  I  shall  see  that."  He  even  learned 
to  let  blood  and  draw  teeth. 

In  relating  these  particulars  of  the  history  of  Peter, 
it  is  not  intended  to  commend  to  every  one  to  take  up 
the  hammer  or  the  adze,  but  to  exhibit  curiosity  and 
perseverance,  as  good  traits  of  character,  and  means  of 
usefulness  to  ourselves  and  others.  The  sovereign  of  an 
instructed  people  might  have  been  better  employed ;  but 
the  civiliser  of  a  barbarous  nation  wisely  concluded  that 
necessaries  are  before  luxuries,  and  that  skill  in  the 
useful  arts  must  precede  excellence  in  the  fine  arts,  or 
any  great  refinements  in  society;  and  that  to  learn 
and  teach  the  useful  arts  himself,  would  most  effectually 
introduce  them  among  the  ignorant  people  he  hoped  to 
benefit. 

Peter,  while  he  resided  in  Holland,  did  not  confine 
his  notice  to  the  mechanic  arts ;  but  he  was  introduced 
to  all  learned  men,  and  attended  a  course  of  anatomy. 
He  visited  all  museums  of  natural  history  at  Amsterdam, 
and  was  delighted  with  the  microscopes  of  Leuwen- 
hoeck:  he  also  attended  courts  of  justice. 

On  one  occasion,  though  it  disputed  his  will,  Peter 
experienced  the  benefits  of  law  in  Holland.  Two  of 
his  own  people  offended  him,  and  he  caused  them  to  be 
loaded  with  irons,  and  ordered  them  to  be  put  to  death. 
The  burgomasters,  the  principal  magistrates  of  the  city, 
interfered,  and  informed  the  imperial  despot  that,  in  that 
country,  and  in  their  city,  no  such  proceeding  could  be 
allowed ;  and  they  urged  him  to  release  the  prisoners. 


58  PETER    OF    RUSSIA. 

He  refused,  except  on  condition  that  one  should  be  sent 
to  Batavia,  and  the  other  to  Surinam ;  far  from  all  that 
they  knew  or  loved. 


William  III.,  king  of  England,  being  in  Holland,  had 
an  interview  with  Peter,  and  invited  him  to  pay  him  a 
visit ;  and  sent  over  two  ships  of  war  and  a  yacht  to 
convey  him  and  his  suite  to  London,  where  he  arrived 
in  January,  1698.  There  he  made  no  secret  of  his  rank, 
but  requested  to  be  treated  like  a  private  gentleman.  The 
great  crowds  of  people  in  London  disturbed  Peter,  and 
he  took  up  his  residence  at  Deptford,  on  the  Thames, 
where  was  one  of  the  king's  dock-yards. 

Peter  remained  four  months  in  England,  and  used 
the  same  means  to  obtain  knowledge  there  that  he  had 
done  in  Holland,  except  that  he  no  longer  worked  at 
ship-building,  but  travelled  a  little  about  the  country, 
and  examined  the  more  delicate  mechanic  arts — watch- 
making, &c.  He  also  visited  the  royal  observatory  at 
Greenwich,  and  conversed  with  Dr.  Halley,  an  eminent 
astronomer  of  that  day.    , 

Perhaps  the  greatest  advantage  of  Peter's  visit  to 
England  was  derived  from  the  large  number  of  persons, 
not  less  than  five  hundred,  who  went,  at  his  request,  into 
Russia,  as  professors  of  science,  or  as  practical  me- 
chanics. Among  these  were  engineers,  who  were  em- 
ployed as  superintendents  of  public  works,  and  in  the 
construction  of  bridges    and    canals ;    together  with 


PETER    OF   RUSSIA.  59 

architects,  surgeons,  ship-masters,  and  artisans  of  other 
occupations. 

The  best  science  which  the  English  carried  into 
Russia  was  common  arithmetic.  The  Russians  were 
ignorant  of  the  figures  which  we  use  to  express  num- 
bers, called  the  Arabic  numerals — so  slow  were  they  to 
obtain  the  benefit  of  that  excellent  invention.  By  means 
of  these  numerals,  as  many  of  the  Russians  as  can  read 
and  write  are  enabled  to  practise  arithmetic  as  we  do. 

It  does  not  appear  that  the  English  were  very  liberally 
or  kindly  treated  when  they  were  settled  in  Russia.  The 
natives  were  much  displeased  at  the  introduction  of 
foreigners,  and  did  much  to  annoy  and  mortify  them. 
Peter  did  not  witness  the  disrespect  they  suffered.  Igno- 
rant people  are  apt  to  dislike  those  who  are  greatly 
superior  to  themselves  in  knowledge.  One  of  the  uses 
of  knowledge  is,  that  it  enables  one  to  understand  and 
value  it  in  others. 

It  is  related  that  a  young  Scotchman,  named  Best, 
accompanied  Peter  to  Russia.  The  word  best,  in  the 
Russian  language,  signifies  beast;  and  this  name  served 
the  Russians  to  treat  the  young  man  with  ridicule.  Best 
complained  to  the  Tzar  that  his  name  made  him  ridicu- 
lous to  his  acquaintance.  "  You  shall  be  called  Bestu- 
chef"  said  the  Tzar,  "  and  then  you  will  be  as  good  a 
Russian  as  myself."  This  relieved  the  young  man.  The 
son  of  this  Bestuchef  afterwards  became  Grand  Chan- 
cellor, a  station  of  high  dignity  in  the  empire. 

Before  Peter  finished  his  tour,  he  visited  Vienna,  and 


60  PETER   OF   RUSSIA. 

k 
would  have  gone  into  Italy,  but  he  received  intelligence 
of  the  revolt  of  some  of  his  troops,  and  he  hastened  to 
Moscow  to  put  down  his  enemies,  who  were,  it  appeared, 
already  defeated  by  General  Gordon.  Thus  concluded 
this  memorable  journey.  "  It  was  a  thing  unparalleled  in 
history,  either  ancient  or  modern,"  says  an  eminent 
writer,  "  for  a  sovereign  of  five-and-twenty  years  of  age 
to  withdraw  from  his  kingdom  for  the  sole  purpose  of 
learning  how  to  govern." 


Peter  exhibited  no  generosity  or  lenity  in  the  punish- 
ment of  his  enemies;  he  meant  to  be  feared — to  be 
obeyed — and  to  introduce  a  new  order  of  things.  He 
knew  that  ignorant  people  are  much  attached  to  their 
customs,  and  unwilling  to  adopt  new  ones ;  and  he  chose 
rather  to  govern  them  than  to  be  regulated  himself  by 
their  habits  and  will;  therefore,  he  made  them  know  that 
his  will  was  law. 

He  first  commanded  the  men  to  shave  their  beards, 
and  to  dress  in  the  garb  of  the  more  civilised  countries ; 
and  levied  a  small  fine  upon  those  who  persisted  in 
wearing  long  beards  and  long  coats.  The  greater  part 
of  the  people  chose  rather  to  retain  their  beards  and 
their  coats,  so  that  the  tax  paid  for  this  privilege  formed 
a  considerable  revenue. 

In  1699,  Peter  caused  printing-presses  to  be  set  up, 
and  translations  of  many  books  to  be  printed  in  the 
Russian  language.   He  founded  a  school  for  the  marine, 


PETER  OF   RUSSIA.  61 

and  for  other  arts  and  sciences  ;  and  schools  for  Latin, 
German,  and  other  languages.  He  permitted  his  sub- 
jects to  trade  with  foreign  countries,  which  the  laws  had 
prohibited ;  and  commanded  those  to  go  abroad  who 
were  inclined.  He  also  commenced  the  year  in  January, 
like  the  other  nations  of  Europe.  Before  his  time,  the 
Russians  commenced  their  year  in  September. 

But  the  most  important  improvement  commenced  by 
Peter  was,  the  respect  he  endeavoured  to  obtain  for  the 
female  sex.  Savages  never  show  the  same  respect  for 
females  that  highly  civilised  and  Christian  men  pay  to 
them.  The  former  compel  women  to  hard  labour  or 
to  useless  idleness — they  do  not  admit  that  they  are 
worthy  to  enjoy  whatever  rational  beings  can  enjoy,  and 
that  they  deserve  all  the  respect  which  belongs  to  the 
wise  and  the  good. 

It  had  been  the  custom  in  Russia  for  ladies  not  to 
associate  with  the  men  at  their  entertainments;  and, 
when  they  were  admitted  to  the  same  apartment,  they 
sat  at  a  separate  table.  When  a  young  girl  was  to  be 
married,  her  parents  contracted  her  to  her  future  husband, 
and  she  never  saw  him  till  the  ceremony  was  to  take 
place.  Sometimes,  when  a  young  nobleman  wanted  a 
wife,  a  large  number  of  young  ladies  would  be  collected, 
and  he  would  go  in  among  them,  and  choose  the  one 
who  might  best  please  him  at  the  moment.  Peter 
abolished  these  customs,  and  caused  both  sexes  to  asso- 
ciate in  the  manner  of  other  countries — thus  he  rescued 


62  PETER    OF    RUSSIA. 

the  female  part  of  the  nation  from  a  condition  little  better 
than  slavery. 

Peter  was  ambitious  to  open  a  free  trade  between 
Russia  and  other  states ;  but  he  could  not  do  this,  be- 
cause the  country  round  the  Black  Sea  did  not  belong 
to  him.  Riga,  on  the  gulf  of  that  name,  belonged  then 
to  Sweden;  and  the  whole  province  of  Finland,  in- 
cluding the  Neva  and  the  west  coast  of  Lake  Ladoga, 
also  belonged  to  the  Swedes :  so  that  Peter  had  no  port 
but  Archangel,  which  was  too  far  north  to  accommo- 
date the  intercourse  which  he  wished  to  establish  with 
foreign  countries. 

Some  of  the  Russian  provinces,  Esthonia,  Livonia, 
Ingria,  and  Carelia,  belonged  to  the  King  of  Sweden ; 
and  Peter  wished  exceedingly  to  dispossess  him  of 
dominions  which  would  be  so  valuable  to  Russia.  This 
was  exactly  as  if  one  private  person  should  desire  to 
possess  the  shipping,  warehouses,  and  lands  of  another  ; 
and  should  endeavour  to  seize  and  keep  them.  But 
Peter  and  the  people  of  his  time  did  not  understand,  that 
the  law  which  teaches  persons  in  common  life  to  respect 
their  neighbour's  rights,  is  made  for  kings  as  well  as 
private  persons. 

It  would  not  be  very  instructive  to  describe  all  the 
battles  between  Peter's  army  and  that  of  the  King  of 
Sweden,  Charles  XII. ;  they  ended  in  securing  to  Peter 
the  territory  and  the  sea-ports  which  he  desired  to 
obtain.    A  circumstance  occurred  at  the  surrender  of 


'ER   OF   RUSSIA.  63 


Marienburgh,  in  Livonia,  of  deep  interest  to  the  happi- 
ness of  Peter,  which  may  be  related  in  this  place.  ft 

The  inhabitants  of  Marienburgh,  when  that  city  was 
taken  from  the  Swedes,  entreated  leave  to  quit  the  town 
without  being  disturbed  in  their  departure,  and  the 
Russian  general  consented.  The  officer  before  whom  all 
these  unfortunate  people  passed  out  was  General  Bauer, 
a  man  of  great  mildness  and  humanity.  Among  the 
Marienburghers,  he  noticed  one  that  greatly  interested 
him  by  her  appearance;  she  was  a  very  young  girl, 
deeply  afflicted — for  tears  flowed  without  restraint  from 
her  eyes. 

Bauer,  after  he  had  steadfastly,  and  with  the  utmost 
compassion  observed  her,  desired  that  the  young  girl 
should  be  detained  till  he  could  have  leisure  to  converse 
with  her.  When  Martha,  so  she  was  then  called,  appeared 
before  the  General,  he  was  delighted  with  her  modesty, 
and  the  account  she  gave  of  herself.  Her  story  was 
simply  this : — 

Martha  was  born  at  Ringen,  a  small  village  in  Livo- 
nia. Her  mother  was  a  poor  woman,  who  lived  on  the 
estate  of  Count  Rosen.  Her  mother  and  Count  Rosen 
died  nearly  at  the  same  time ;  and  the  young  orphan, 
then  about  three  years  old,  was  taken  by  the  clerk  of 
the  parish,  who  kept  a  school,  and  intended  to  instruct 
her  with  the  children  of  his  charge,  but  she  was  taken 
out  of  his  hands. 

;    It  happened  that  Dr.  Gluck,  the  Lutheran  minister  of 
Marienburgh,  observed  the  child,  and  enquired  who  she 


64  PETER   OF   RUSSIA. 

was.  When  he  had  learned  her  history,  he  persuaded 
his  clerk  to  part  with  her,  and  took  her  home  to  his  own 
house.  There  she  was  treated  with  tenderness,  made 
herself  useful,  and  became  a  great  favourite  with  the 
whole  family.  At  first  she  knew  only  the  Sclavonian 
dialect  of  Livonia,  but  she  was  afterwards  made  ac- 
quainted with  the  German  language. 

When  Martha  was  about  fifteen,  a  young  man,  an 
army  serjeant,  made  her  a  proposal  of  marriage.  The 
serjeant  had  a  good  character.  Dr.  Gluck  consented  to 
the  match,  and  himself  performed  the  marriage  ceremony 
only  the  day  before  the  taking  of  Marienburgh.  It 
was  supposed  that  Martha's  husband  was  killed  at 
that  time,  for  she  never  saw  nor  heard  of  him  after- 
wards. 

General  Bauer,  when  he  learned  the  misfortunes  of 
Martha,  offered  her  an  asylum  in  his  house ;  and  there 
he  allotted  her  some  feminine  occupation.  In  this  situa- 
tion, she  was  greatly  beloved  by  the  whole  household. 
At  General  Bauer's,  Prince  Menzikoff  became  acquainted 
with  her;  and,  admiring  her  person  and  manners,  he 
begged  that  officer  to  part  with  her  to  him. 

Martha  was  not  rudely  compelled  to  leave  the  home 
she  had  gained,  but  was  consulted  kindly  by  General 
Bauer.  He  called  her  into  the  presence  of  Menzikoff, 
and  assured  her  that  the  prince  was  better  able  to  pro- 
tect and  serve  her  than  himself:  Martha  made  a  pro- 
found courtesy,  and  spoke  not  a  word ;  but  it  was  un- 
derstood that  she  consented  to  the  proposal  which  had 


PETER    OF    RUSSIA.  65 

been  made ;  and  the  next  day  she  was  in  the  palace  of 
Menzikoff. 

At  the  palace  of  Menzikoff,  the  Tzar  first  saw  the 
peasant  of  Livonia ;  and  she  appeared  to  him  all  that 
was  desirable  in  a  wife.  He  first  privately,  and  after- 
wards publicly,  married  her.  This  woman,  after  the 
death  of  Peter,  became  empress — autocratrix  of  all  the 
Russias.  "  There  have  been  instances,"  says  Voltaire, 
"  before  this,  of  private  persons  being  raised  to  the 
throne;  nothing  was  more  common  in  Russia,  and  in 
all  the  Asiatic  kingdoms,  than  marriages  between  sove- 
reigns and  their  subjects;  but  that  a  poor  stranger,  who 
had  been  discovered  amid  the  ruins  of  a  plundered  town, 
should  become  the  absolute  sovereign  of  that  very 
empire  into  which  she  was  led  captive,  is  an  incident 
which  fortune  and  merit  have  never  before  produced  in 
the  annals  of  the  world." 

Peter  had  been  married  in  his  youth,  in  the  Russian 
fashion,  without  esteem  or  affection  for  his  bride ;  and, 
though  his  wife  became  the  mother  of  a  son,  the  prince 
Alexis,  he  afterwards  repudiated,  or  put  her  away.  His 
marriage  with  Catherine,  so  she  was  then  called,  was 
solemnly  declared,  March,  1711.  In  all  Peter's  military 
expeditions,  Catherine  accompanied  him ;  and,  in  every 
situation,  was  tenderly  regarded  by  him. 

The  cheerfulness  and  sweetness  of  Catherine's  temper, 
her  agreeable  manners  and  conversation,  so  charmed 
her  husband,  that  he  was  never  so  happy  as  when  she 

5 


66  PETER    OF    RUSSIA. 

was  near  his  person.  Peter  was  liable  to  a  disease  # 
called  catalepsy. — It  throws  the  whole  body  into  con- 
vulsions ;  and  the  patient  becomes  unable  to  control  his 
own  motions.  Whenever  Peter  was  affected  in  this 
way,  Catherine  was  called,  and  her  presence  soon 
restored  him  to  his  accustomed  tranquillity,  as  the  sweet 
tones  of  David's  harp  drove  out  «the  evil  spirit  that  tor- 
mented the  king  of  Israel. 

Catherine  accompanied  Peter  in  his  most  hazardous 
enterprises,  and  was  the  idol  of  the  army,  on  account  of 
the  tenderness  and  compassion  she  showed  to  the  sick 
and  wounded.  Nor  was  she  deficient  in  gratitude, — 
she  did  not  forget  the  benefactors  of  her  youth.  Gluck 
died  before  she  could  confer  any  favour  upon  him ;  but 
she  pensioned  his  widow,  portioned  his  daughters,  and 
made  his  son  a  page. 

The  great  reason  why  the  Tzar  loved  her  so  much, 
said  General  Gordon,  was  her  exceeding  good  temper : 
she  was  never  out  of  humour — obliging  and  civil  to  all, 
and  never  forgetful  of  her  former  humble  state ;  and,  in 
her  greatest  prosperity,  she  never  excited  the  envy  or 
ill-will  of  those  around  her. 

Many  a  wretch  escaped  the  effects  of  Peter's  dis- 
pleasure by  Catherine's  generous  interference.  Peter, 
as  has  been  remarked,  was  a  man  of  violent  passions. 
When  he  was  offended,  he  would  sometimes  command 
the  most  unjust  punishments  to  be  inflicted  upon  the 
person  who  had  provoked  him.  "  Catherine,"  says  Vol- 
taire, "  saved  more  backs  from  the  knout,  and  more 


PETER   OF   RUSSIA.  67 

heads  from  the  block,  than  General  Le  Fort  had  ever 
done." 


The  knout. — This  was  a  knotted  leathern  thong,  with 
which  persons  who  had  displeased  the  emperor,  or  had 
committed  certain  offences,  were  publicly  beaten — 
always  with  great  cruelty,  and  sometimes  to  death. 

The  block — is  a  term  for  decapitation,  or  beheading. 
The  unhappy  persons  who  are  sentenced  to  lose  their 
heads  lie  down,  and  their  heads  being  placed  on  a  block, 
are  severed  from  their  bodies. 

It  is  sometimes  necessary  that  persons  who  have  been 
guilty  of  great  crimes  should  be  removed  from  society, 
that  they  may  not  repeat  the  same  injury  to  their  fellow- 
being  ;  but,  under  a  humane  government,  the  infliction 
of  blows,  and  the  taking  of  life  are  not  permitted;  except 
that,  in  cases  of  perjury  and  murder,  death  is  sometimes 
inflicted. 

The  cruel  and  insulting  treatment  of  criminals-is  only 
practised  by  barbarous  people.  The  Russians,  at  the 
present  time,  are  more  humane  than  they  were  in  the 
days  of  Peter. 


When  Peter  had  expelled  the  Swedes  from  the  banks 
of  the  Neva,  he  commenced  the  greatest  undertaking  of 
his  extraordinary  reign ; — it  was  no  less  than  the  foun- 
dation of  a  new  capital  of  his  dominions.     Moscow,  in 


68  PETER   OF   RUSSIA. 

the  interior,  was  the  ancient  capital,  and  was  a  large 
and  wealthy  city ;  but  it  was  not  conveniently  situated 
for  purposes  of  trade. 

Petersburg,  the  new  capital,  was  so  called  in  honour 
of  its  founder :  it  lies  on  the  banks  of  the  Neva,  and  is 
now  one  of  the  most  beautiful  cities  of  Europe,  though 
its  foundations  were  laid  only  one  hundred  and  thirty 
years  ago,  (1836).  The  site  of  Petersburg  is  low  and 
marshy,  and  it  was  built  upon  with  immense  labour  and 
loss  of  human  life. 

According  to  Captain  Perry,  an  English  engineer, 
who  was  a  witness  of  the  work,  the  workmen  were  not 
furnished  with  necessary  tools,  such  as  pick-axes,  spades, 
and  shovels,  and  wheelbarrows  were  unknown  to  them ; 
so  that  the  soil,  which  they  brought  from  a  great  dis- 
tance, was  carried  in  bags,  aprons,  and  skirts  of  gar- 
ments. But,  notwithstanding  these  difficulties,  in  the 
course  of  one  twelvemonth,  no  less  than  thirty  thousand 
huts  and  wooden  houses  were  built  up  in  the  new  city. 

To  perform  all  this  labour,  Peter  collected  people  from 
all  parts  of  his  dominions, — Calmucks,  Cossacks,  In- 
grians,  and  Finlanders.  These  he  employed  in  great 
numbers  in  digging  canals  to  carry  off  the  water  which 
overflowed  the  marshes,  and  to  raise  the  soil  which  had 
been  drained.  This  severe  labour,  with  scanty  fare  of 
the  worst  kind,  caused  such  a  mortality  that  one  hundred 
thousand  persons  are  supposed  to  have  died  at  Peters- 
burg, of  famine,  sickness,  and  fatigue,  during  the  year 
mentioned. 


PETER    OF    RUSSIA.  69 

Peter  himself  superintended  this  great  work,  and  took 
up  his  abode  in  a  little  hut  upon  the  spot.  This  hut  is 
still  preserved,  being  carefully  enclosed,  and  shown  to 
strangers  as  a  memorial  of  the  great  king.  It  must  be 
lamented  that  Peter,  when  he  had  such  noble  purposes 
in  view,  did  not,  or  could  not  accomplish  them  with 
greater  kindness  towards  persons  employed  in  his  enter- 
prises. « 

The  Russian  priests  and  nobles  were  not  pleased  with 
the  erection  of  a  new  capital.  Moscow  was  a  comfort- 
able residence,  and  the  climate  milder  than  that  of 
Petersburg.  But  Peter  knew  that  the  best  way  to  im- 
prove his  subjects  was,  to  bring  his  capital  as  near  as 
possible  to  other  civilised  people ;  so  that  foreigners 
might  come  to  it  without  being  forced  to  take  a  long 
land  journey,  and  thus  his  own  subjects  might  become 
acquainted  with  strangers  who  should  resort  to  Russia 
for  purposes  of  trade  and  business.  The  court  and  the 
commercial  capital  being  the  same,  brought  persons  of 
every  class  together. 

About  five  months  after  the  foundation  of  Petersburg 
was  laid,  a  report  was  brought  to  Peter  that  a  large 
vessel,  with  Dutch  colours,  was  coming  up  the  river. 
This  was  the  first  foreign  vessel  that  had  appeared  in  a 
Russian  port,  except  some  that  had  been  at  Archangel. 
Till  then,  Russia  had  no  other  port  except  Azoph, 
recently  taken  ;  for  Riga  still  belonged  to  the  Swedes. 

No  sooner  did  Peter  learn  the  approach  of  the  Dutch 
vessel,  than  he  hastened  to  meet  the  welcome  stranger. 


70  PETER   OF   RUSSIA. 

The  skipper,  that  is  the  captain,  was  invited  to  the  house 
of  MenzikofF,  Peter's  favourite  minister  and  friend,  and 
was  placed  next  the  Tzar  at  table.  Peter  was  delighted 
to  find  that  the  ship  belonged  to  an  old  friend  of  his, 
Cornelius  Calf,  of  Zaandam,  with  whom  he  had  resided 
in  Holland. 

Nothing  could  be  more  acceptable  to  the  inhabitants 
of  the  new  city  than  the  cargo  of  the  Dutch  vessel.  It 
brought  butter,  cheese,  hams,  and  gin — the  very  articles 
they  stood  in  need  of,  particularly  gin,  as  they  thought ; 
for  in  that  day  it  was  not  known  that  labouring  men  are 
more  injured  than  benefited  by  strong  drink.  Peter 
bestowed  a  handsome  premium  upon  Auke  Wibes,  the 
skipper,  who  made  a  profitable  adventure  of  his  first 
voyage  to  Petersburg.  From  that  time  to  this,  the 
Baltic  has  been  open  for  the  ships  of  all  commercial 
nations. 

It  was  after  this  time  that  Peter,  in  many  battles,  by 
sea  and  land,  defeated  the  Swedes  completely,  established 
his  power  all  over  Russia,  and  carried  on  more  exten- 
sively his  projects  of  improvement.  Peter's  moderation 
after  the  siege  of  Narva  has  been  much  admired.  Colonel 
Trumbull,  an  American  artist,  has  made  an  excellent 
picture  on  tli^  subject. 

The  following  account  has  been  given  of  the  scene 
alluded  to : — The  Russian  soldiers  entered  Narva,  and 
fell  to  plundering  the  helpless  inhabitants,  whom  they 
insulted,  pillaged,  and  slaughtered.  Peter,  seeing  his 
men  thus  cruelly  employed  in  assailing  the  rights  and 


PETER   OF   RUSSIA.  71 

lives  of  others,  commanded  them  to  forbear ;  and,  when 
they  disregarded  his  orders,  without  compunction,  he 
killed  with  his  own  hand,  some  of  those  who  did  not 
obey  him. 

At  length  he  proceeded  to  the  town-hall,  where  great 
numbers  of  the  unfortunate  citizens  had  taken  refuge. 
He  there  threw  down  his  sword,  reeking  with  blood, 
declaring  to  the  people,  "  My  sword  is  not  stained  with 
the  blood  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  city,  but  with  that  of 
my  own  soldiers,  which  I  have  not  hesitated  to  spill  that  I 
might  save  your  lives." 

That  man  should  shed  blood  at  all — that  he  should 
ever  take  the  life  of  his  fellow-man,  is  wholly  contrary 
to  humanity  and  Christianity.  That  a  great  general 
should  arrest  the  progress  of  destruction  is  indeed  praise- 
worthy ;  that  he  should  never  engage  in  it  would  be  a 
higher  degree  of  virtue.  It  may  be  hoped  that  all  kings 
and  governments  will  one  day  come  to  this  conclusion, 
and  never  attack  the  lives  or  property  of  others,  any 
more  than  citizens  and  neighbours  burn  the  houses  and 
murder  the  children  of  those  who  dwell  in  the  same 
street  or  city. 

The  number  of  lives  lost  in  the  wars  between  Peter 
and  Charles  XII.  of  Sweden,  cannot  be  known  now ;  it 
must  have  been  hundreds  of  thousands  of  men,  whose 
wives  were  widowed,  whose  children  were  made  or- 
phans, and  whose  parents  were  left  childless,  to  gratify 
the  selfishness  of  two  men,  who,  had  they  been  truly 
wise,  would  have  agreed  together  which  should  do  the 


72  PETER   OF   RUSSIA. 

most  good  to  each  other,  and  to  their  respective  sub- 
jects. 

The  battle  of  Pultowa  was  that  in  which  Charles  sus- 
tained his  most  signal  defeat.  The  whole  Swedish 
force  surrendered  themselves  to  the  victorious  arms  of 
Russia.  When  Peter  saw  the  unfortunate  men  reduced 
to  the  condition  of  prisoners,  he  seemed  affected ;  but  his 
emotion  did  not  prevent  him  from  sending  the  greater 
part  of  them  to  Siberia. 

Siberia  is  a  cold  region  of  Asiatic  Russia,  north  of 
Tartary,  and  buried,  in  some  parts,  in  eternal  snows.  It 
was  then  wild,  uninhabited,  and  barren;  and  it  was 
considered  the  severest  of  punishments  to  be  banished  to 
the  desolate  Siberia — far  from  all  the  comforts  of  life, 
and  forever  separated  from  all  agreeable-  society.  But 
so  great  has  been  the  number  of  these  exiles,  that  they 
and  their  descendants  have  made  some  parts  of  that 
dreaed  country  not  only  an  agreeable,  but  desirable 
residence. 

Immediately  after  the  battle  of  Pultowa,  Riga  was 
taken,  (July  1710);  and  the  whole  province  of  Livonia, 
which  had  formerly  belonged  to  Russia,  was  restored 
to  that  empire.  It  is  presumed  that,  of  80,000  men 
belonging  to  the  Swedish  armies,  not  more  than  one  in 
a  thousand  ever  returned  to  his  country  and  his  friends. 
Peter  did  not  follow  immediately,  for  Charles  XII. 
escaped  into  Turkey,  and  persuaded  the  Turks  to  make 
war  with  Peter. 

During  this  war,  the  Turks  took  Azoph ;  but  at  length, 


PETER    OF  RUSSIA.  73 

after  much  unprofitable  fighting,  it  was  restored,  and  a 
treaty  of  peace  followed.  In  1713,  Peter,  with  a  large 
naval  force,  took  the  whole  coast  of  Finland  as  far  as 
Abo.  Abo  had  a  university  and  a  considerable  library. 
This  library  Peter  sent  to  Petersburg,  where  it  became 
the  foundation  of  the  present  library  of  Petersburg. 

This  was  clearly  a  robbery.  A  public  library  is  a 
great  privilege  to  any  people.  It  is  collected  with  a 
great  deal  of  care  and  expense,  and  is  the  means  of 
much  instruction  and  pleasure  to  those  who  have  leisure 
and  means  to  improve  it.  When  Peter  ordered  away 
the  library  of  Abo  to  his  new  capital,  he  did  not  do  to 
others  as  he  would  have  them  act  towards  himself,  or  his 
people. 

This  law  is  meant  for  governments  and  states  in  their 
treatment  of  others  as  much  as  for  private  persons.  It 
is  believed  that  no  prince  or  army  at  the  present  time 
would  do  such  an  act  of  injustice,  and  violence.  Men 
are  learning  more  and  more  to  respect  one  another's 
rights.  This  is  the  progress  of  society.  The  knowledge 
that  all  men  gain  of  what  belongs  to  all,  and  the  respect 
and  love  they  show  to  one  another  more  and  more  in 
every  country,  is  the  advancement  and  improvement  of 
the  human  race. 


In  1714  and  1715,  Petersburg  was  greatly  improved; 
large  numbers  of  brick  houses  were  erected,  and  forty 
thousand  labourers  were  employed  upon  wharves,  ships, 


74  PETER   OF    RUSSIA. 

and  other  works.  These  suffered  as  formerly  from 
disease  and  cold,-  but  the  benevolent  Catherine  dis- 
tributed money,  food,  and  clothing  among  them  to  the 
extent  of  her  power. 

Being  secure  in  his  conquests,  in  1715,  Peter  resolved 
to  make  a  second  tour  in  Europe,  and  to  take  with  him 
his  best  friend  and  counsellor,  the  prudent  Catherine. 
This  tour  was  perhaps  not  so  instructive  to  the  Tzar  as 
the  first,  but  it  must  have  been  very  entertaining.  Many 
little  circumstances  served  to  show  him  how  a  great 
prince  was  regarded  by  ordinary  men.  Above  all  princes, 
Peter  appears  to  have  felt  the  natural  sympathy  of  man 
with  man. 

Peter  must  have  been  diverted  by  the  following  inci- 
dent. Sleeping  one  night  at  Nymagen,  on  the  Elbe,  he 
arrived  late,  in  a  chaise,  with  only  two  attendants: 
Catherine  was  not  with  him.  Having  made  a  supper  of 
eggs  and  some  bread  and  cheese,  he  retired  to  rest. 
His  companions  had  a  bottle  of  wine.  Starting  the  next 
morning,  at  an  early  hour,  he  asked  what  was  to  pay? 
"One  hundred  ducats;"  was  the  answer.  "What!" 
cried  the  astonished  Russian.  "  One  hundred  ducats," 
replied  the  host ;  "  for  my  part,  I  should  be  glad  to  give 
a  thousand  if  I  was  Tzar  of  Russia."  Peter  asked  the 
man  if  eggs  were  so  very  scarce  in  that  place.  "  No ;" 
said  the  innkeeper,  "  but  emperors  are." 

One  of  his  first  visits  was  to  the  little  cottage  where, 
nineteen  years  before,  he  had  learned  the  art  of  ship- 
building.    He  found  it  in  order,  and  dignified  with  the 


PETER    OF    RUSSIA.  75 

name  of  the  Prince's  House.  This  building  still  exists, 
enclosed  within  a  neat  building,  with  arched  windows, 
having  the  appearance  of  a  conservatory  or  green-house. 
This  was  erected  in  1823,  by  Elizabeth,  princess  of 
Orange,  sister  to  the  Emperor  Alexander.  In  the  first 
room  stands  the  ink-table,  and  the  three  chairs  with 
which  it  was  furnished  when  occupied  by  Peter.  Over 
the  chimney-piece  is  inscribed, 

PETRO     MAGNO 
ALEXANDER, 

and,  in  the  Russian  and  Dutch  languages,  "  To  a  Great 
Man,  nothing  is  little'''  In  the  second  are  some  models 
and  several  tools  used  by  Peter. 

Peter,  in  his  second  visit  to  Holland,  did  not  forget 
his  old  friend  Kist,  the  blacksmith.  His  smithy  was 
so  dirty  when  he  went  there  that  one  of  his  gentle- 
men attendants  would  have  retreated,  but  Peter  stopped 
him  to  blow  the  bellows  and  heat  a  piece  of  iron,  which 
Peter  beat  out  himself  with  the  hammer.  Kist  was  only 
a  journeyman,  and  Peter,  as  became  him,  made  him  a 
handsome  present. 

It  may  be  imagined  that  he  was  joyfully  received  by 
the  tradesmen,  seamen,  and  shipwrights  of  Zaandam. 
It  was  no  sooner  known  that  his  yacht  was  arrived 
than  the  whole  quay  was  crowded,  and  "  Welkom,  wel- 
kom,  Peter  Baas,"  resounded  from  a  thousand  mouths. 
A  respectable  woman  rushed  forth  to  greet  him  as  he 
stepped  on  shore.     "  My  good  lady,"  said  he,  "  how  do 


76  PETER   OF   RUSSIA. 

you  know  me  V  "  Nineteen  years  ago,  your  majesty 
often  sat  at  my  table.  I  am  the  wife  of  Baas  Bool," 
answered  the  woman.  He  immediately  recognised  her ; 
and,  kissing  her  on  the  forehead,  invited  himself  to  dine 
with  her  that  very  day. 

Great  preparations  were  made  in  Paris  for  the  recep- 
tion and  entertainment  of  the  Tzar,  who  left  Catherine 
behind  him  in  Holland;  but  Peter  preferred  a  good 
hotel  to  the  palace  of  the  Louvre. — "  I  am  a  soldier :  I 
prefer  small  apartments  to  large  ones.  A  little  bread 
and  beer  satisfy  me.  I  have  no  desire  to  be  attended 
with  pomp  and  ceremony :"  was  the  reply  of  the  great 
autocrat  to  those  who  offered  him  the  luxuries  usually 
bestowed  upon  kings. 

In  France,  Peter  saw  all  that  was  curious  for  mag- 
nificence, ingenuity,  and  utility — the  works  of  sculpture 
and  painting,  and  all  the  productions  of  the  smith  and 
the  tool-maker :  nor  was  he  indifferent  to  men  of  genius, 
living  and  dead.  In  Paris,  he  paid  a  visit  to  the  splendid 
tomb  of  Richelieu,  one  of  the  greatest  men  that  France 
has  produced.  At  sight  of  the  noble  statue  of  Richelieu, 
he  is  said  to  have  exclaimed,  "  Thou  great  man !  I  would 
have  given  thee  one-half  of  my  dominions .  to  learn  of 
thee  how  to  govern  the  other  half." 

It  was  the  custom  of  Peter  to  enquire  everywhere,  in 
every  city,  town,  and  village,  if  there  was  any  thing 
remarkable  to  be  seen ;  and,  being  informed,  he  would  go 
in  search  of  the  curious  object. 
L  In  Wittemberg,  in  Saxony,  he  asked  the  innkeeper 


PETER   OP   RUSSIA.  77 

what  was  to  be  seen  there.  "  Not  much,"  answered  the 
man,  "  except  the  palace  of  the  Elector ;  there  you  may- 
see  the  apartment  and  study  of  Martin  Luther.  His 
monument  is  in  the  church." 

While  his  dinner  was  preparing,  Peter  hurried  away 
to  the  church.  There  he  saw  the  tomb  of  Luther, 
adorned  by  the  statue  in  bronze  of  the  Reformer.  "  This 
is  not  too  much,"  •  said  he,  "  for  so  great  a  man."  In 
Luther's  apartment,  on  the  wall,  may  be  seen  an  ink- 
spot,  made  by  dashing  his  inkstand  against  the  wall. 
Luther  was  a  prisoner  in  this  place ;  and,  perhaps,  in  his 
grief  and  impatience,  he  did  this :  commonly  he  governed 
his  feelings  better. 

The  smoky  walls  of  this  room  were  covered  with 
names.  "  I  must  add  mine,"  said  Peter :  and,  taking  a 
piece  of  chalk  from  his  pocket,  he  wrote  "  Pitr"  in 
Russian  characters,  close  to  the  spot  of  ink :  this  name 
was  afterwards  enclosed  in  a  little  box  inserted  in  the 
wall  to  preserve  it. 

.  On  his  return  to  Holland,  Peter  purchased  some  valu- 
able pictures,  procured  a  considerable  number  of  books, 
and  some  articles  of  curiosity  to  form  a  collection  for 
the  Imperial  Academy  of  Sciences,  which  he  had  pre- 
viously founded.  The  leading  facts  in  Peter's  life,  and 
the  principal  traits  of  his  character,  have  been  shown  in 
the  preceding  narrative ;  it  only  remains  to  relate  one 
act  more  blameable  than  any  other  attributed  to  him. 

The  Tzarovitz  Alexis,  the  son  of  Peter's  first  mar- 
riage, grew  up  to  manhood,  and  became  one  of  the  most 


78  PETER   OF   RUSSIA. 

profligate  men  of  the  age.  Peter  was  engaged  in  so 
many  public  concerns,  that  he  took  no  care  for  the  cul- 
tivation of  his  son's  mind ;  and  the  young  man,  listening 
to  the  counsel  of  his  father's  enemies,  was  suspected  of 
some  treason  against  the  state ;  that  is,  of  designing  to 
set  himself  up  as  successor,  without  consent  of  his 
father. 

Peter  conceived  a  bitter  resentment  against  his  son, 
and  feared  that  he  might  live  to  undo  much  that  he  had 
done, — that,  after  his  death,  he  would  succeed  to  the 
throne,  and  pay  no  regard  to  the  undertakings  he  had 
commenced.  To  keep  Alexis  under  his  own  eye,  he 
forbade  him  to  leave  Russia ;  but  Alexis,  in  that  matter, 
as  in  all  others,  did  as  he  pleased,  and  went  into  Ger- 
many. 

The  law  of  Russia  permitted  the  Tzar  to  punish  his 
son  with  death,  for  quitting  Russia  against  his  consent : 
and,  therefore,  Peter  might,  if  he  thought  it  necessary, 
takevthe  life  of  his  son  without  transgressing  his  admitted 
rights  as  a  parent  and  a  sovereign.  Alexis  had  some- 
times said,  he  wished  his  father  was  dead;  and  this 
inconsiderate  speech  was  made  to  appear  as  a  design  to 
take  his  life. 

There  can  be  no  doubt  that  Alexis  had  not  capacity 
to  govern  a  great  empire;  and  that,  had  he  come  to  the 
throne,  he  might  have  created  much  disorder,  and  would 
not  have  been  able  to  do  any  good.  Still  his  weakness 
or  his  wickedness  was  not  such  as  to  make  it  right 


PETER   OF   RUSSIA.  79 

and  just  that  his  life  should  be  taken  away  by  a  legal 
act. 

Peter  stated  the  whole  that  he  knew  or  believed  of 
his  son's  guilt  to  the  judges  of  the  land,  and  to  the  chief 
ecclesiastics ;  but  both  refused  to  judge  the  case.  The 
clergy,  however,  recommended  the  unfortunate  Alexis 
to  the  clemency  of  his  father,  suggesting  that  Christ 
showed  mercy  to  the  wicked,  and  that  David,  the 
Hebrew  king,  entreated  the  commanders  of  his  army  to 
spare  Absalom,  his  rebellious  son. 

This  merciful  mediation  had  no  effect  upon  Peter. 
He  collected  all  the  proofs  he  could  find  of  his  son's 
misconduct,  and  then  submitted  to  one  hundred  and 
twenty-four  persons — ministers  of  state,  generals,  and 
senators — the  whole  case ;  and  they  unanimously  con- 
demned Alexis  to  death.  No  mode  of  execution  was 
expressed  in  this  sentence,  and  the  sudden  death  of 
Alexis  in  prison  prevented  the  horrid  spectacle  of  the 
legal  murder  of  a  son  by  the  abused  power  of  his 
father,  one  of  the  greatest  princes  of  the  age  and  of  the 
world. 

Peter  believed,  if  Alexis  succeeded  him,  that  Russia, 
at  his  death,  would  be  plunged  anew  into  barbarism ;  and 
that,  as  he  had  often  ventured  his  own  life  for  the  good 
of  his  country,  it  became  him  to  sacrifice  the  life  of  his 
son  rather  than  the  prosperity  of  his  people.  "  I  would 
rather  commit  my  subjects  to  the  care  of  an  entire 
stranger,"  he  would  say,  "worthy  of  the  trust,  than 
leave  them  to  one  of  my  own  children,  undeserving  of 


80  PETER   OF   RUSSIA. 

it"  But  the  taking  the  life  of  a  son  admits  of  no  de- 
fence ;  and  such  an  act  must  forever  tarnish  the  good 
fame  of  Peter  the  Great. 


Peter,  to  the  end  of  his  days,  continued  the  policy 
which  has  been  shown  to  have  governed  him  in  the 
former  part  of  his  reign.  He  improved  Moscow  and 
Petersburg,  patronised  voyages  of  discovery,  employed 
learned  travellers  to  explore  his  dominions,  restricted 
gaming,  established  uniform  weights  and  measures,  pro- 
tected meritorious  strangers,  admonished  the  young  to 
travel  abroad,  encouraged  the  working  of  mines,  the 
erection  of  mills,  and  the  manufactory  of  cloth;  and 
commanded  respect  to  women,  and  a  rational  education 
of  them. 

No  man  had  a  higher  sense  of  the  duties  of  religion 
than  Peter,  as  he  understood  it.  Religion  is  a  sentiment 
of  the  heart :  it  is  belief  in  the  existence  of  God,  and  in 
the  authority  of  his  will.  It  is  also  a  social  and  public 
institution  for  instruction  and  the  worship  of  God.  So 
far  as  the  public  observance  forms  a  part  of  religion, 
Peter  was  a  religious  man.  Religion  is  full  of  love  and 
mercy.     Peter  understood  that  very  imperfectly. 

No  man  performed  his  devotions  with  more  regularity 
than  Peter  I.  of  Russia.  He  never  gained  nor  lost  a 
bcttle  that  he  did  not  offer  thanks  to  God — in  the  former 
instance,  for  victory,  in  the  latter,  for  preservation  and 
deliverance.    In  all  his  travels,  he  never  failed  to  attend 


PETER  OF   RUSSIA.  81 

divine  service,  whether  Catholic  or  Protestant.  When 
in  England,  he  attended  the  Quaker  meeting,  and  cour- 
teously received  the  visits  of  Penn  and  other  leaders 
among  those  excellent  people  the  Friends. 

In  1724,  Peter,  being  at  peace  with  all  the  world, 
determined  to  give  his  subjects  the  last  proof  of  his 
respect  to  Catherine,  by  crowning  her  empress  in  the 
ancient  city  of  Moscow — a  mark  of  esteem  which  the 
whole  nation  acknowledged  to  be  her  due.  Accord- 
ingly, in  a  public  manifesto,  he  declared  that,  after  the 
custom  of  all  Christian  princes  of  the  Greek  church,  he 
took  a  convenient  opportunity  to  crown  his  august  wife, 
the  Empress  Catherine,  as  a  mark  of  his  high  respect 
for  her. 

To  this  he  added,  "  The  Empress  Catherine,  our 
dearest  consort,  has  been  an  important  help  to  us  in  all 
dangers;  not  of  war  only,  but  in  other  expeditions, 
serving  us  with  her  counsel,  as  well  as  by  her  zeal  and 
courage.  For  these  reasons,  and  in  virtue  of  that  power 
which  God  has  given  us,  we  are  resolved  to  honour  her 
with  the  imperial  crown,  in  acknowledgment  of  her 
merits  and  services." 

This  ceremony  took  place  in  the  grand  cathedral  of 
Moscow.  The  foreign  ministers,  and  the  chief  lords 
and  ladies  of  the  empire,  with  the  clergy,  and  a  great 
multitude,  of  every  degree,  were  present  on  this  occa- 
sion. Catherine  knelt  upon  a  cushion ;  the  Archbishop 
of  Novogorod  requested  her  to  repeat  the  creed  of  the 
church ;  and,  when  she  had  finished,  he  pronounced  a 

6 


82  PETER    OF    RUSSIA. 

blessing  upon  her,  and  then  recited  a  prayer  which 
concluded  thus : — 

"Let  her  heart  always  incline  to  fear  Thee;  let  her 
will  be  always  obedient  to  thine;  let  her  judge  thy 
people  righteously,  do  justice  to  the  afflicted,  relieve  the 
children  of  the  poor,  and,  at  last,  let  her  obtain  thy 
heavenly  kingdom." 

This  act  of  Peter  was  regarded  as  the  appointment 
of  a  successor,  in  the  person  of  Catherine,  though  it  did 
not  altogether  meet  the  wishes  of  the  nation.  The  son 
of  the  deceased  Alexis  was  an  amiable  and  promising 
child ;  and  many  regretted  that  the  young  prince  should 
not  succeed  his  grandfather,  who,  soon  after  the  corona- 
tion of  Catherine,  was  unexpectedly  called  to  relinquish 
all  his  earthly  honours. 

Peter  had  long  been  in  ill-health;  but,  being  well 
enough  to  enjoy  a  short  voyage,  he  went  as  far  as 
Lachta,  on  the  Gulf  of  Finland.  He  had  scarcely 
anchored  in  port,  when  a  boat  full  of  soldiers  and  sailors 
was  seen  to  be  dashed  on  the  rocks  by  the  violence  of 
the  waves.  Peter  ordered  out  a  small  vessel  for  their 
assistance ;  but,  with  the  ardour  and  impatience  inherent 
in  his  character,  thinking  the  men  sent  did  not  sufficiently 
exert  themselves,  took  his  own  boat  to  assist  them 
himself. — Not  being  able  to  advance  near  enough  on 
account  of  a  sand-bank,  he  waded  up  to  his  knees  in 
water  to  get  at  the  boat  that  was  aground,  and  by  his 
able  assistance,  at  length  saved  the  poor  people. 

This  act  of  generous  self-exposure  cost  Peter  his  life. 


PETER   OF   RUSSIA.  83 

At  night,  he  was  seized  with  a  fever :  he  was  conveyed 
as  soon  as  possible  to  St.  Petersburg,  and  the  best  medi- 
cal assistance  was  employed,  but  in  vain.  Acute  and 
unmitigable  pain  never  ceased,  and  rapidly  wasted  the 
vigorous  frame  of  the  emperor.  He  bore  his  sufferings 
with  heroic  firmness,  and  expired  January  28th,  1725, 
in  the  fifty-fourth  year  of  his  age. 

Peter,  as  has  been  shown  in  his  history,  was  a  man 
of  great  virtues  and  great  talents.  His  mind  devised 
immense  benefits  for  his  fellow-men,  and  his  energy  of 
character  carried  them  into  effect  in  as  large  measure 
as  any  man  could  do  in  the  short  space  of  little  more 
than  thirty  years. 

He  found  his  subjects  in  great  ignorance  and  degra- 
dation, but  he  let  in  new  light  upon  their  minds ;  gave 
<them  literature,  science,  and  the  useful  arts;  refined 
their  manners,  increased  their  wealth,  and  multiplied 
their  enjoyments.  He  opened  to  them  a  free  communi- 
cation with  foreign  nations,  and  raised  them  from  being 
a  vast  horde  of  obscure  savages  to  the  rank  of  rational 
beings,  and  to  political  existence  among  civilised  states. 

What  single  man  has  done  more  for  mankind  1  What 
human  being  deserves  more  to  have  his  faults  forgotten, 
and  his  virtues  celebrated?  What  man  in  the  highest 
station  ever  more  worthily  honoured  private  men  in  the 
humblest  1  Who,  clothed  in  outward  power,  ever  more 
respected  the  better  power  of  genius,  learning,  and  virtue. 
These  traits  of  true  beneficence — of  respect  for  what  is 
good — and  of  zeal  for  the  welfare  of  others,  are  imitable, 


84  PETER  OF   RUSSIA. 

in  some  proper  degree,  by  persons  of  every  age  and  in 
all  grades  of  life;  and  are  admirable  alike  in  kings 
and  subjects,  in  women  and  men,  in  children  and  grown 
persons. 


QUESTIONS. 


Did  Peter  of  Russia  endeavour  to  improve  himself? — Is  Peter's 
example  imitable '?— What  is  the  extent  of  the  Russian  Empire  ? — 
Who  is  the  head  of  this  empire,  and  what  is  its  present  population ! 
— What  is  the  present  government  of  Russia  1 — What  is  the  pro- 
vincial government  of  Russia  1 

What  are  the  productions  and  resources  of  Russia  ? — What  di- 
versities of  employment  and  station  exist  among  the  Russians  1 — 
What  tribe  overcame  the  other  inhabitants  of  Russia  1 — How  was 
the  Christian  religion  introduced  into  Russia  1 — Who  established 
the  Greek  Church  in  Russia1? — Who  became  lords  and  serfs  in 
Russia 1 — What  were  the  achievements  of  Ivan  1 

Who  commenced  the  civilisation  of  Russia  1— Who  advanced 
civilisation  1 — What  service  was  eminently  rendered  to  Russia  by 
Peter  the  Great  1 — How  are  the  inhabitants  of  Russia  divided  1 — 
When  was  Peter  the  Great  born! — When  was  Peter  acknowledged 
as  Tzar  7— What  was  Peter's  education  1 

What  are  armies,  and  what  is  the  use  of  them  1 — Who  were 
enemies  of  Russia  ? — Did  Peter  cultivate  the  arts  of  peace ! — Did 
Peter  conquer  his  own  infirmities'? — Why  did  Peter  act  the  part 
of  a  common  sailor  ?— How  did  Peter  perform  a  sailor's  business  ? 
—Did  Peter  show  gratitude  to  Captain  Musch  1 — How  did  Peter 
show  proper  regard  to  an  honest  sailor  1 

Was  this  treatment  of  the  sailor  generous,  or  merely  just  7 — 
Who  was  Peter's  chief  counsellor  1— Who  introduced  Le  Fort  to 
Peter!— Did  Peter  value  Le  Fort?— Did  Le  Fort  give  Peter  useful 


PETER   OF   RUSSIA.  85 

information! — Did  Peter  give  way  to  violent  passions? — Did 
Peter  repent  of  his  own  violence ! — Did  Peter  know  how  to  cor- 
rect his  own  faults  % 

Did  Peter  repel  the  Tartars ! — Who  taught  Peter  forbearance  1 
— Does  the  possession  of  despotic  power  corrupt  a  man  1 — Would 
Peter  inflict  punishment  for  slight  cause  of  offence  ? — Why  did  Le 
Fort  become  a  favourite  of  Peter's  subjects  ? — Who  aided  Peter  in 
taking  Azoph  ? 

Why  did  Peter  travel  into  western  Europe,  and  send  some  of 
his  subjects  there  1 — Who  disapproved  of  Peter's  expedition'! — 
What  virtue  was  particularly  displayed  by  Peter! — What  is  an 
ambassador? — What  is  a  King's  Court! — How  are  ambassadors 
fitted  out  ? — How  are  ambassadors  provided  who  come  to  the  U. 
States? 

Why  did  Peter  travel  like  a  common  man  ? — Who  recognised 
Peter  in  Holland  ? — With  whom  did  Peter  reside  in  Holland  ? — 
What  sort  of  house  did  Peter  occupy  in  Holland,  and  by  whom 
was  he  somewhat  disturbed? — Did  Peter  show  kindness  to  poor 
people  ? 

How  did  Peter  treat  the  widow  of  Musch  ? — Did  the  artisans  in 
Holland  detect  Peter's  disguise? — Who  knew  Peter's  likeness, 
&c.  ? — Did  Peter  work  at  ship-building  ? — What  account  is  given 
of  his  appearance  at  Zaandam  ? — Did  Peter  exhibit  his  inclination 
for  manual  labour  in  Russia  ? 

Did  Prince  Menzikoff  exhibit  the  love  of  labour  like  Peter  ? — 
Was  Peter's  curiosity  unprofitable  ?— Was  Peter's  attention  to  small 
matters  commendable  in  a  sovereign  prince  ? — Did  Peter  extend 
his  curiosity  to  liberal  science  ? — Did  Peter  experience  the  salutary 
restraint  of  the  law  in  Holland  ? 

Did  Peter  visit  England  ? — Did  Peter  seek  knowledge  in  Eng- 
land ? — Did  Peter  invite  English  gentlemen  into  Russia  ? — What 
science  did  the  English  carry  into  Russia? — Were  the  English 
well  treated  in  Russia  ? — Who  was  Bestuchef  ? 

What  hastened  Peter  back  to  Russia? — Was  Peter  an  arbi- 
trary prince? — Did    the  Russians  like  new  regulations? — Did 


86  PETER   OF   RUSSIA. 

Peter  patronise  learning'? — Did  Peter  improve  the  condition  of 
females  in  Russia? — What  bad  customs  oppressed  the  Russian 


women 


Was  all  Russia  subject  to  Peter? — What  provinces  belonged 
to  Sweden  1 — Was  it  just  to  take  them  by  force  of  arms  ? — Is  a 
narrative  of  battles  instructive  1 — What  circumstance  in  the  taking 
of  Marienburgh  was  highly  important  to  Peter  I 

How  did  General  Bauer  regard  his  young  captive ! — Who  was 
the  peasant  of  Livonia,  afterwards  Catherine  1. 1 — In  whose  family 
did  Martha  pass  her  childhood  2 — Was  Martha  married  when  she 
fell  into  Bauer's  hands  ] — Did  Martha  remain  with  Bauer  ] — Did 
Martha  stay  with  Menzikoff"? 

Was  Martha's  fortune  very  uncommon  j — Was  Peter  attached 
to  Catherine  1 — Had  Catherine  great  influence  with  Peter  1 — 
Was  Catherine  an  amiable  woman  ] — What  said  General  Gordon 
of  Catherine  ] — What  said  Voltaire  of  Catherine  1 — What  is  the 
knout  1 — Are  capital  punishments  necessary  ] — Is  the  Russian  cha- 
racter meliorated  at  the  present  day  ] 

What  new  capital  did  Peter  commence  1 — Is  St.  Petersburg  a 
flourishing  city  1 — What  was  Capt.  Perry's  account  of  the  founda- 
tion of  Petersburg  ] — Who  built  up  St.  Petersburg  3 — Who  super- 
intended the  building  of  Petersburg] — Was  the  building  of 
Petersburg  approved  by  the  Russian  nobles  1 

How  soon  after  Petersburg  was  founded,  did  the  first  foreign 
vessel  come  up  the  river  ] — How  was  the  Captain  of  the  Dutch 
vessel  treated  by  Peter? — Was  the  cargo  of  the  Dutch  ship 
acceptable] — Did  Peter  exhibit  moderation  as  a  conqueror? — 
How  did  Peter  check  the  ravages  of  the  Russians  at  Narva  1 

Did  Peter  justify  his  conduct  at  Narva] — Is  the  practice  of  war 
consistent  with  humanity,  &c.  ] — Did  Charles  of  Sweden  and 
Peter  pursue  a  wise  policy  ] — What  battle  completed  the  defeat 
of  Charles  XII.  1 — How  is  Siberia  described  ] — Did  the  taking  of 
Riga  establish  peace  in  Russia  ] 

When  was  Abo  taken  1 — Did  Peter  act  justly  in  taking  the 


PETER   OF    RUSSIA.  87 

library  from  Abo  ? — What  moral  law  ought  to  govern  states  as  well 
as  individuals  ? 

What  was  the  condition  of  Petersburg  in  1714 ? — What  ex- 
pedition did  Peter  undertake  in  1715? — What  did  Peter  pay 
once  for  a  breakfast  in  Germany  ? — Did  Peter  revisit  Zaandam  1 
— Does  any  monument  of  him  exist  there  1 — Did  Peter  visit  his 
old  friend  Kist? 

How  was  Peter  received  at  Zaandam  ? — How  was  Peter  lodged 
in  Paris'? — What  did  Peter  observe  in  Paris'? — What  was  his 
practice  everywhere  2 — What  monument  did  Peter  visit  at  Wit- 
temberg  ! 

Did  Peter  respect  art  and  literature  ? — How  did  Peter  educate 
his  son? — Was  Alexis  disobedient  to  his  father? — What  liberty 
did  the  Russian  laws  allow  Peter  in  respect  to  his  son  1  Does  it 
appear  that  Alexis  was  deserving  of  death  1 — Did  Peter's  counsel- 
lors advise  the  death  of  Alexis  1 

Did  Alexis  die  in  prison  1 — Can  this  act  of  Peter  be  justified  1 — 
Did  Peter  persevere  in  his  great  public  works?— Was  Peter  a 
religious  man  ? — Did  Peter  observe  the  public  ordinances  of  reli- 
gion ? 

What  proclamation  did  Peter  make  in  1724  ? — How  did  Peter 
celebrate  Catherine  ? — What  was  the  ceremony  of  coronation  ? — 
Did  the  coronation  of  Catherine  please  the  Russians  ? — How  did 
Peter  expose  himself? 

How  and  when  did  Peter  die  ? — Was  Peter  a  man  of  eminent 
qualities  ? — What  benefits  did  Peter  confer  upon  Russia  ? — What 
services  did  Peter  render  to  mankind  ? — What  do  his  infirmities 
demand  ? 


(     88     ) 


LORD    CHIEF    JUSTICE    HALE. 


Matthew  Hale  was  an  eminent  English  lawyer,  and 
deserves  to  be  remembered  for  his  great  virtues.  He 
was  born  in  1609,  and  lost  both  his  parents  while  he 
was  very  young.  He  was,  however,  carefully  educated 
by  his  uncle,  Mr.  Poyntz,  and  bred  to  the  profession  of 
the  law. 

It  has  often  been  said,  that  the  profession  of  a  lawyer 
inclines  a  man  to  disregard  truth  and  justice,  and  to 
favour  most  those  persons  who  pay  most  for  his  ser- 
vices :  but  Mr.  Hale  was  not  one  of  this  character ; 
being  chiefly  admirable  for  his  uprightness,  and  his 
kindness  to  those  who  suffered  wrong,  or  who  stood  in 
need  of  his  counsel. 

While  he  was  young, -and  a  member  of  the  University 
of  Oxford,  he  fell  into  many  of  the  follies  of  other  young 
persons ;  but  he  had  the  good  sense  to  perceive  his  own 
misconduct,  and  strength  of  mind  to  reform  his  faults. 

While  he  was  at  Oxford,  plays  were  represented  in 
the  city ;  and,  so  delighted  was  young  Hale  with  these 
exhibitions,  that  he  attended  them  constantly,  and  could 
think  of  little  else.  This  frivolous  amusement  so  inter- 
fered with  his  studies,  that  he  soon  perceived  he  was 


LORD   CHIEF   JUSTICE    HALE.  89 

losing  the  precious  opportunity  of  improvement,  by  ne- 
glect of  his  books ;  and  he  resolved  at  once  never  more 
to  see  a  play.  To  this  resolution,  he  adhered  through 
life. 

Though  he  was  sometimes  led  into  the  society  of  light- 
minded  persons,  nothing  ever  corrupted  the  probity  and 
purity  of  Matthew  Hale's  mind.  At  that  time,  the 
military  service — entering  the  army  as  an  officer — was 
a  profession  much  desired  by  young  men.  It  was  then 
thought  very  honourable  to  expose  a  man's  life  in  wars, 
which  foolish  and  ambitious  princes  chose  to  engage  in. 
Mankind  are  better  informed  at  the  present  time. 

Though  young  Hale  was  piously  educated,  it  does  not 
appear  that  he  understood  the  iniquity  of  engaging  in 
any  warfare  ;  and  he  took  some  pains  to  qualify  himself 
to  become  a  soldier.  This  inclination  led  him  to  the 
love  of  fine  clothes  and  of  gay  company  ;  and  at  length, 
he  resolved  to  go  over  to  Holland,  and  enter  the  service 
of  the  Prince  of  Orange. 

Happily  for  his  country,  he  was  hindered  in  this 
enterprise.  A  gentleman  laid  claim  to  part  of  his  estate ; 
and  he  was  obliged  to  engage  in  a  law-suit,  in  order  to 
maintain  his  rights. 

Mr.  Glanvil,  an  eminent  lawyer,  whom  he  employed 
as  his  counsellor  in  this  suit — Mr.  Hale  being  then  only 
in  his  twenty-first  year — perceived  the  superiority  of  his 
talents,  and  persuaded  him  to  abandon  the  profession  of 
arms,  and  to  follow  that  of  the  law ;  as  one  better  suited 
to  his  turn  of  mind. 


90  LORD    CHIEF    JUSTICE    HALE. 

Mr.  Hale  took  this  advice,  and  immediately  com- 
menced the  proper  course  of  study.  He  had  no  sooner 
done  this,  than  he  became  deeply  sensible  that  he  had 
lost  much  time,  and  had  set  his  affections  upon  mean 
objects :  but,  from  that  time,  he  exerted  himself  vigor- 
ously to  repair  his  faults.  He  laid  aside  all  finery  in 
dress,  adopted  plain  and  neat  apparel,  and  studied, 
during  many  years,  at  the  rate  of  sixteen  hours  a  day. 


The  honour  of  reclaiming  young  Hale  from  the  frivo- 
lous and  idle  way  of  life  he  had  fallen  into,  is  first  due 
to  Mr.  Glanvil;  though  his  perfect  reformation  was 
finally  accomplished  by  his  own  moral  energy  and 
perseverance.  It  is  due  to  the  memory  of  Mr.  Glanvil, 
to  relate  here  an  instance  of  his  great  disinterestedness. 

Mr.  GlanviPs  father  had  two  sons,  of  whom  he  was 
the  younger.  The  laws  of  England  give  the  greater 
part  of  a  man's  estate  to  his  eldest  son,  who  is  the  heir; 
and  his  right  to  the  paternal  fortune  is  called  in  law,  the 
right  of  primogeniture.  The  elder  Mr.  Glanvil  was  very- 
rich  ;  and  his  eldest  son,  to  his  great  grief,  was  a  very 
vicious  young  man — unfit,  as  the  father  declared,  to  pos- 
sess a  large  property. 

Mr.  Glanvil — the  father — therefore,  made  a  will ;  and, 
contrary  to  the  usual  practice  of  the  country,  bestowed 
his  fortune  on  the  younger  son.  When  his  will  was 
declared,  the  elder  was  exceedingly  mortified  and  disap- 
pointed to  find  himself  deprived  of  his  expected  inherit- 


LORD   CHIEF   JUSTICE   HALE.  91 

ance,  and  became  very  melancholy  in  consequence ;  but, 
in  the  course  of  time,  he  reformed  his  conduct. 

Seeing  his  affliction,  Mr.  Gianvil — the  favourite — re- 
solved to  make  his  disinherited  brother  amends  for  their 
father's  severity:  so  he  adopted  this  expedient.  He 
invited  him,  with  many  of  their  friends,  to  a  dinner  at 
his  house ;  and,  when  the  table  was  arranged,  ordered 
his  servants  to  set  a  certain  covered  dish  before  his 
brother. 

When  the  brother  lifted  the  cover,  he  saw  only  a 
parcel  of  papers.  The  company,  at  first,  did  not  know 
the  design  of  this  contrivance ;  and  some  expressed  their 
curiosity  to  know  what  it  might  mean.  "  My  friends,'* 
said  the  master  of  the  house,  addressing  himself  to  his 
guests ;  "  I  perceive  your  surprise,  and  I  will  readily  ex- 
plain what  is  intended  by  the  writings  contained  in  that 
dish." 

The  attention  of  all  was  turned  to  the  speaker,  and  he 
proceeded.  "  You  know  that  my  brother  had  the  un- 
happiness  to  offend  my  late  father.  Our  father  feared 
that  he  would  not  worthily  discharge  his  duty  as  the 
owner  of  his  property;  and  he  believed  that  I,  the 
younger  of  his  children,  would  better  fulfil  that  trust. 
Still,  I  am  confident  that,  if  he  had  thoroughly  known 
my  brother's  virtues — if  he  could  have  foreseen  how 
truly  he  repents  of  all  that  has  been  wrong  in  his  past 
conduct — he  never  would  have  deprived  him  of  his 
estate.  You  know,  my  friends,  and  I  know,  that  my 
brother  is  as  worthy  as  I  am  of  the  estate;  and  the 


92  LORD   CHIEF  JUSTICE   HALE. 

papers  in  the  dish  are  the  title-deeds  of  that  property, 
which,  in  your  presence,  I  restore  to  him  entirely  and 
cordially." 

The  brother  was  overcome  with  gratitude,  and  the 
company  with  admiration,  at  this  act  of  justice  and 
generosity — for  it  was  justice,  according  to  the  laws  of 
England ;  but  the  man  who  was  capable  of  so  noble  an 
action  was  more  to  be  envied  than  he  who  was  the 
object  of  this  munificent  brotherly  love. 


It  has  been  related  that  this  same  excellent  Mr.  Glan- 
vil  turned  Mr.  Hale's  mind  to  a  serious  and  useful  life : 
but  it  appears  that  this  happy  change  was  not  accom- 
plished all  at  once ;  and  was  finally  determined  by  the 
following  circumstances.  While  he  was  engaged  in  the 
study  of  the  law,  he,  with  some  other  young  students, 
went,  on  a  holiday,  into  the  country,  to  make  merry 
together. 

One  of  the  company  drank  immoderately  of  wine, 
and  all  Mr.  Hale  could  urge  would  not  prevent  him 
from  calling  for  more ;  till,  in  a  state  of  complete  in- 
toxication, he  fell  down  as  a  dead  man.  His  com- 
panions were  shocked  and  frightened,  and  did  what 
they  could  to  recover  him;  and,  at  length,  the  poor 
young  man  gave  signs  of  life,  to  the  great  joy  of  all 
present. 

Mr.  Hale  immediately  withdrew  from  the  company, 
—went  into  another  room — fell  upon  his  knees,  and 


LORD   CHIEF   JUSTICE    HALE.  U3 

offered  a  prayer  for  his  friend  and  for  himself — that  the 
former  might  be  restored  to  health  and  a  sound  mind ; 
and  that  himself  might  be  forgiven  that  he  had  en- 
couraged such  excess :  at  the  same  time  vowing,  with 
God's  help,  to  refrain  ever  after  from  all  intemperate 
use  of  wine,  and  from  every  known  sin. 

This  resolution,  which  he  was  often  pressed  to  break, 
in  respect  to  indulgence  in  the  use  of  wine,  he  religiously 
observed  through  life ;  though  he  was  sometimes  laughed 
at  for  his  obstinacy  in  temperance,  and  sometimes  even 
rudely  treated  on  account  of  it. 

From  the  time  that  Mr.  Hale  took  a  resolution  to 
avoid  all  intemperance,  he  gave  up  his  unprofitable  com- 
panions, and  devoted  himself  to  religious  duties  and  pro- 
fessional studies.  In  his  attendance  on  public  worship, 
he  was  so  regular  that,  for  thirty-six  years,  he  never 
once  failed  to  go  to  church. 

In  conformity  to  the  resolution  which  he  had  made 
to  do  right,  he  kept  a  strict  account  of  his  time.  Among 
his  papers  were  found,  after  his  death,  some  resolutions 
which  he  formed,  in  those  early  days,  for  the  regulation 
of  his  life.  These  furnish  excellent  rules  to  young  per- 
sons of  the  present  time. 

"  MORNING.* 

1.  "  To  lift  up  my  heart  in  gratitude  to  God  for  renew- 
ing my  life. 

*  These  resolutions,  taken  from  Bishop  Burnet's  Life  and  Death 
of  Sir  Matthew  Hale,  are  expressed  in  a  more  modern  phraseology 


94  LORD   CHIEF    JUSTICE    HALE. 

2.  "  To  renew  my  resolution  of  acting  during  the  day 
in  imitation  of  Christ,  and  in  obedience  to  God's  will, 
declared  in  the  gospel. 

3.  "  To  watch  against  temptation — against  my  own 
passions  and  infirmities. 

4.  "  To  pray  always — that  is,  to  have  God  in  all  my 
thoughts;  and  to  trust  constantly  in  him  for  aid  and 
direction. 

"EMPLOYMENT. 

"  Of  Employment,  there  are  two  kinds. 

1.  "  Our  ordinary  calling — the  business  by  which  we 
subsist.  This  should  be  performed  faithfully,  diligently, 
and  cheerfully.  We  may  serve  God  and  man  in  any 
calling,  be  it  ever  so  humble. 

"  Resolved,  not  to  undertake  more  than  I  can  accom- 
plish. 

2.  "  Spiritual  employment — is  cultivating  and  improving 
the  mind — meditating  upon  God's  works  and  will — 
ruling  our  own  thoughts  and  actions.  This,  as  much 
to  be  done,  and  more,  than  seeking  the  meat  that 
perisheth. 

"  OF  REFRESHMENT. 

1.  "  Meat  and  Drink — to  be  used  in  moderation,  ac- 
cording to  the  rule  of  temperance  enjoined  in  the  gos- 
pel. 

than  the  original;   but  the  writer  has  endeavoured  to  adhere 
rigidly  to  the  spirit  of  the  primitive  words. 


LORD   CHIEF   JUSTICE    HALE.  95 

2  "  Recreations — Not  our  business, — though  relaxa- 
tion and  amusement  are  allowable,  if  they  do  not  injure 
our  minds  or  bodies ;  or  if  they  give  no  pain  to  any,  our 
fellow-beings,  or  to  any  animal. 

"  No  games  that  excite  envy,  anger,  or  covetousness, 
should  be  practised. 

■  OF  RETIREMENT. 

1.  "  Beware  of  vain  thoughts — of  desiring  the  good 
things  of  another — of  all  malicious  intentions — of  all 
forbidden  gratifications.  Rather  than  entertain  such 
thoughts,  fly  from  thyself. 

2.  "  Let  thy  solitary  thoughts  be  employed  upon  con- 
sidering what  is  right  and  wrong — examining  thyself; 
whether  thy  whole  life  and  conduct  be  lawful  and  right. 
Think  on  the  instructions  of  Christ  and  the  Apostles — 
of  thy  latter  end — why  thou  wast  sent  into  the  world, 
and  whether  thou  art  prepared  to  die.  It  will  make  thee 
watchful  and  humble. 

"OF  CONVERSATION. 

"  Do  good  to  thy  companions.  Use  God's  name 
reverendly.  Beware  of  all  appearance  of  evil — of  saying 
or  doing  aught  that  may  leave  the  impression  of  an  ill 
example.  Receive  good  from  others  when  their  know- 
ledge, or  wisdom,  or  discreet  conduct,  excels  thine 
own. 


96  LORD   CHIEF  JUSTICE    HALE. 

"  EVENING. 

*  Reflect  upon  the  transactions  of  the  day.  If  thou  hast 
done  aught  amiss,  or  neglected  to  discharge  any  duty, 
intreat  pardon  of  God ;  and  resolve,  with  his  help,  to  be 
more  vigilant  in  future.  If  thou  hast  a  good  conscience 
towards  God  and  towards  man,  thank  him  whose  mercy 
and  grace  has  enlightened  thy  mind,  and  sustained  thy 
virtue." 


"  Wherewith  shall  a  young  man  cleanse  his  way  V 
,  says  the  Scripture.  How  shall  he  become  virtuous  and 
wise — how  become  a  good  member  of  society — how 
obtain  the  favour  of  God  and  man — how  enjoy  the 
peace  of  those  who  love  God's  law — how  live  and  die 
in  hope  of  a  happy  eternity?  By  adopting  a  course  of 
conduct,  of  self-government,  of  study  and  improvement, 
of  love  to  man,  and  obedience  to  God; — such  as  is  indi- 
cated in  these  rules  of  Matthew  Hale;  which  were 
truly  and  fully  exemplified  in  his  living  actions,  and 
obtained  for  him  the  respect  of  all  who  knew  him,  and 
that  constant,  inward  satisfaction,  which  none  but  good 
men  know. 

"  No  wonder,"  says  Bishop  Burnet,  his  biographer, 
"that  a  man  who  set  such  rules  to  himself  became 
quickly  very  eminent  and  remarkable."  But,  if  he 
had  not  become  eminent  and  remarkable — if  he  had 
practised  the  virtue  he  cherished  in  the  very  humblest 
condition — if  a  mind  so  pure  and  holy  had  been  that  of 


.   LOED    CHIEF   JUSTICE    HALE.  97 

a  slave,  a  day-labourer,  or  a  servant — still  his  innocence 
and  piety,  his  love  of  God  and  man,  would  have  made 
him  respectable  and  happy ;  because  happiness  depends 
upon  what  we  are  in  ourselves,  much  more  than  upon 
any  honours  which  men  bestow  upon  us. 


Mr.  Hale  pursued  his  studies  with  so  much  industry 
and  judgment,  that  he  soon  commended  himself  to  the 
friendship  of  some  of  the  best  men  of  that  time ;  par- 
ticularly Mr.  Selden,  a  very  learned  man.  This  ac- 
quaintance set  him  upon  an  enlarged  pursuit  of  learning 
— upon  acquiring  all  the  knowledge  in  his  power  beyond 
that  contained  in  books  of  law. 

"  Of  his  own  profession,"  says  Bishop  Burnet,  "  he 
became  as  great  a  master  as  any  ever  was:"  but, 
beyond  that,  and  in  addition  to  the  proper  learning  of  a 
lawyer,  he  "  found  leisure  to  attain  to  as  great  variety  of 
knowledge,  in  as  comprehensive  a  manner,  as  most  men 
have  done  in  any  age." 

He  studied  Algebra  and  other  mathematical  sciences ; 
he  was  acquainted  with  all  the  discoveries  and  curious 
experiments  of  the  age ;  and  informed  himself  of  physic 
and  anatomy,  as  they  were  then  understood.  To  these 
attainments,  he  added  much  research  into  ancient  his- 
tory and  philosophy,  in  which  he  was  greatly  assisted  by 
Mr.  Selden. 

He  used  to  say — No  man  could  be  master  in  any 
profession  without  some  skill  in  other  sciences.     Of  all 

7 


98  LORD    CHIEF   JUSTICE    HALE.  • 

his  studies,  he  accounted  that  of  Divinity  and  Ethics — 
the  law  of  God  and  of  virtue — of  the  highest  import- 
ance and  the  greatest  satisfaction.  It  is  interesting  to 
learn  how  he  acquired  all  this  knowledge. — It  was  prin- 
cipally by  his  indefatigable  industry,  directed  by  a  good 
understanding,  and  aided  by  a  retentive  memory. 

He  rose  very  early ;  held  no  light  conversation — no 
foolish  talking,  and  spent  very  little  time  in  eating  and 
drinking;  in  which  he  observed  such  plainness  and 
moderation,  that  his  mind  was  never  unfitted  for  appli- 
cation by  excessive  indulgence  of  appetite.  He  never 
went  to  public  feasts,  and  gave  no  entertainments  but  to 
the  poor ;  towards  whom,  he  followed  Christ's  directions 
literally.  In  all  patronage  and  favour  which  he  showed 
to  others,  he  had  constant  regard  to  their  low  estate. 
The  humble,  the  neglected,  and  oppressed,  were  the 
constant  objects  of  his  benevolence.  He  had  great 
moral  courage,  and  true  charity. 

Mr.  Hale  lived  when  public  affairs  in  England  were 
in  great  disorder.  In  1648,  Charles  I.,  king  of  England, 
was  deposed ;  and  another  government,  called  the  Com- 
monwealth, was  substituted  for  it,  under  Oliver  Crom- 
well, as  the  Protector,  or  head  of  the  nation.  Mr.  Hale 
preferred  the  former  government,  and  declared  his 
attachment  to  it ;  but  Cromwell,  "  honouring  and  trusting 
men  of  eminent  virtues,  of  what  persuasion  soever  they 
might  be  in  relation  to  public  matters,  took  him  from  the 
practice  of  law,  and  made  him  a  judge." 

In  many  instances,  Mr.  Hale  exerted  great  influence 


LORD    CHIEF    JUSTICE    HALE.  99 

over  the  republican  party.  During  the  season  of  their 
power,  he  was  chosen  a  member  of  the  national  legisla- 
ture— the  Parliament;  and  in  it,  he  opposed  many 
extravagant  motions.  One  of  them  was  to  destroy  all 
the  records  in  the  Tower :  these  were  a  sort  of  journal 
of  all  laws  and  public  affairs,  which  had  been  kept  for 
centuries  in  England. 

The  parliament  wished  to  have  things  past  forgotten ; 
and  to  begin  law  and  government  in  England  anew, 
after  their  own  plans.  "  To  settle,"  as  they  said,  "  the 
nation  on  a  new  foundation."  Mr.  Hale  had  the  inde- 
pendence to  declare  the  "  madness,  injustice,  and  mis- 
chievous effects  of  this  plan;"  and  he  did  this  so 
powerfully,  that  -he  stopped  the  mouths  of  those  who 
offered  this  abominable  project,  and  brought  it  into  de- 
served contempt. 


As  a  judge,  Mr.  Hale  acted  with  the  highest  integrity 
and  wisdom.  Some  of  the  rules  he  made  show  his  true 
impartiality.  Of  these,  the  following  are  examples : — 
In  the  case  of  capital  crimes, — "  though  my  nature 
incline  me  to  pity,  I  must  consider  that  pity  is  due  to 
the  country."  The  guilty  must  suffer  punishment,  that 
others  may  live  in  security  and  peace. 

"  I  must  not  be  biassed  with  compassion  to  the  poor, 
nor  favour  to  the  rich,  when  justice  is  to  be  awarded." 
A  man's  actions,  in  their  effect  upon  others,  take  no 
quality  from   his   condition.     Society  suffers   from   all 


100  LORD    CHIEF    JUSTICE    HALE. 

crimes. — Whoever  commits  them,  be  he  rich  or  poor, 
must  take  the  consequences  of  his  crime,  without  regard 
to  whomsoever  he  may  be. 

"  In  capital  cases,  if  the  fact  be  proved,  severity  is 
justice."  Pain  is  not  given  to  any  offender  to  make  him 
suffer;  that  would  be  to  requite  evil  with  evil — evil  con- 
duct with  evil  treatment.  But  punishment  is  inflicted 
upon  criminals  in  order  to, reform  them,  and  to  be  a 
terror  to  evil-doers — to  those  who  might  do  great  inju- 
ries to  their  fellow-beings,  if  they  had  no  fear  of  suffering 
for  their  crimes. 

At  that  time,  in  England,  besides  the  two  political 
parties — the  loyalists,  or  friends  of  the  king — the  repub- 
licans, or  friends  of  the  Commonwealth,  there  were 
religious  parties;  the  loyalists  were  generally  Episco- 
palians, and  the  republicans  nonconformists:  the  latter 
refused  to  conform  to  the  worship  and  service  of  the 
Episcopal  Church,  or  Church  of  England. 

These  parties  had  not  the  good  sense  and  the  Christian 
forbearance  to  allow  each  other  to  worship  God  each  in 
their  own  way.  When  the  loyalists  were  in  power, 
they  forbade  nonconformists  to  preach  or  attend  wor- 
ship :  and,  when  the  nonconformists  were  in  power,  they 
compelled  the  other  party  to  shut  up  the  churches,  and 
refrain  from  their  service. 

Mr.  Hale  knew  that  both  parties  were  wrong  in 
molesting  each  other ;  and  he  befriended  injured  persons, 
of  each  denomination,  as  they  stood  in  need  of  assist- 
ance.    Some  of  the  Church  party,  while  the  Common- 


LORD    CHIEF    JUSTICE    HALE.  101 

wealth  subsisted,  were  in  great  want;  and  he  would 
distribute  to  their  necessities,  often  without  letting  them 
know  from  whose  hands  relief  came. 

When  the  nonconformists,  in  their  turn,  were  perse- 
cuted— when  the  Commonwealth  was  annihilated,  and 
the  king,  Charles  II.  restored — Mr.  Hale  manifested  the 
same  generosity  to  the  oppressed  party.  He  knew  that 
they  must  be  honest,  or  they  would  not  refuse  to  worship 
as  the  laws  required ;  because  if  they  should  do  so,  they 
would  not  be  disturbed  in  their  worship  or  their  busi- 
ness, nor  injured  in  their  property.  They  chose  rather 
t&  suffer  for  conscience  sake,  than  to  gain  any  advantage 
by  abandoning  what  they  believed  to  be  the  truth  of 
God.  Mr.  Hale  respected  this  fidelity  to  principle ;  and 
he  often,  both  by  giving  them  advice  and  money,  aided 
the  nonconformists,  as  he  had  opportunity. 

Of  both  these  parties,  he  said  he  was  sorry  to  see  them 
injure  each  other — that  the  indispensable  things  of  reli- 
gion were  love  and  peace,  and  not  particular  churches, 
and  modes  of  worship.  He  preferred  for  himself  the 
Church  of  England,  but  he  wished  that  the  laws  would 
allow  liberty  of  worship  to  the  nonconformists,  and  that 
all  contentions  among  Christians  might  cease. 

Mr.  Hale,  afterwards  Sir  Matthew  Hale,  was  appoint- 
ed Lord  Chief  Justice  of  England  in  1671,  and  held  this 
station  till  February,  1676 ;   when  he  resigned  it,  on 


*  See  The  Life  and  Death  of  Sir  Matthew  Hale,  &c.    Written 
by  Gilbert  Burnet,  D.  D.— page  80. 


102  LORD   CHIEF    JUSTICE    HALE. 

account  of  ill-health  and  declining  years,  being  about 
sixty-seven.  "  Such  was  the  general  satisfaction  which 
all  the  kingdom  received  from  his  excellent  administra- 
tion of  justice,  that  the  king,  though  he  could  not  well 
deny  his  request," — to  be  released  from  duty — "  deferred 
the  granting  of  it  as  long  as  possible. 

When  at  last,  the  king  in  person  accepted  the  sur- 
render of  his  office,  he  wished  Sir  Matthew,  most 
heartily,  the  return  of  his  health,  and  offered  him  a 
pension  during  life.  Sir  Matthew  would  have  declined 
this  bounty,  but  the  king  insisted ;  and,  while  the  former 
lived,  he  received  the  pension,  and  applied  it  chiefly  Jo 
charitable  uses. 

As  soon  as  he  was  discharged  from  his  place,  he 
returned  home  with  much  cheerfulness,  intending  to 
spend  the  remnant  of  time  that  might  be  allotted  him  as 
should  become  a  Christian,  and  a  philosopher.  He 
expressed  his  feelings,  on  this  occasion,  in  a  paraphrase 
of  some  Latin  verses  of  Seneca. 

"  Let  him  that  will  ascend  the  tottering-  seat 
Of  courtly  grandeur,  and  become  as  great 
As  are  his  mounting  wishes.    As  for  me, 
Let  soft  repose  and  rest  my  portion  be. 
Give  me  some  quiet  fair  recess — a  sphere 
Out  of  the  road  of  business;  where  I  sweetly  may 
Myself  and  dear  retirement  still  enjoy. 
Be  not  my  life  or  name  tossed  to  and  fro 
By  censure  or  applause ;  but  let  my  age 


LORD   CHIEF    JUSTICE    HALE.  103 

Glide  gently  on,  not  blazoned  on  the  stage 
Of  public  action,  but  unheard,  unseen, 
And  unregarded,  as  I  ne'er  had  been. 
And  thus,  when  I  have  passed  my  silent  days 
In  tranquil  privacy,  far  from  the  noise 
And  bustle  of  the  mad  world,  then  would  I, 
Good,  old,  and  innocent,  submitted  die. 
Death  is  a  sad  surprise,  a  very  snare, 
To  him  that  makes  it  his  life's  greatest  care 
To  be  a  public  pageant,  known  to  all, — 
But  unacquainted  with  himself,  doth  fall. 


In  December,  1676,  Sir  Matthew  died,  with  true 
Christian  submission.  He  had  been  the  father  of  ten 
children,  but  two  only  survived  him.  His  virtues  form 
his  chief  history :  the  first  of  these  was,  the  great  pains 
he  took  with  himself— to  correct  his  faults,  to  improve 
his  mind,  and  to  perform  his  duty. 

His  tenderness  and  humanity  were  also  remarkable. 
He  attached  small  value  to  money ;  he  only  esteemed  it 
as  the  means  of  doing  good.  He  neither  hoarded  nor 
wasted  it,  but  gave  generously  of  what  he  had  to  the 
poor.  He  laid  aside  the  tenth  of  his  income  for  charita- 
ble uses,  and  took  care  not  to  encourage  idleness  and 
vice.  He  had  great  compassion  for  poor  men  thrown 
into  prison  for  debt,  and  often  released  such  from  jail, 
who  never  knew  their  deliverer. 

He  sometimes  invited  his  poor  neighbours  to  dine  with 


104  LORD   CHIEF   JUSTICE    HALE. 

him ;  and,  if  any  were  sick,  so  that  they  could  not  come, 
he  would  send  them  food  from  his  table.  These  persons 
he  treated  in  the  most  amiable  manner,  considering  that 
they  were  of  the  same  nature  with  himself,  and  were 
reduced  to  no  other  necessities  but  such  as  he  might  have 
been  in,  but  for  the  goodness  of  God. 

He  loved  building,  partly  because  -it  employed  poor 
persons;  but  he  would  not  employ  them  upon  useless 
work.  The  changes  he  made  in  his  houses  were  always 
from  luxury  to  usefulness.  He  disliked  all  ostentatious 
ornament  everywhere.  In  his  furniture,  table,  and  ap- 
parel, he  preserved  great  plainness,  knowing  that  sim- 
plicity and  frugality  would  enable  him  to  be  charitable. 

His  mercy  extended  even  to  brute  animals.  When 
the  horses  which  he  had  long  used  grew  old,  he  would 
not  suffer  them  to  be  sold  or  over-worked,  but  ordered 
his  men  to  turn  them  loose  to  feed,  and  to  take  care  of 
them  while  they  lived.  He  used  old  dogs  with  like  care. 
His  shepherd  had  one  which  became  blind  with  age,  and 
the  owner  was  about  to  kill  him ;  but  Sir  Matthew, 
hearing  of  his  design,  ordered  one  of  his  servants  to 
bring  home  the  dog,  and  feed  him,  if  he  were  capable 
of  any  enjoyment,  till  he  should  die  a  natural  death. 
He  was  scarcely  ever  seen  to  be  more  angry  than  once, 
when  one  of  his  family  neglected  a  tame  bird,  so  that  it 
died  of  hunger. 

Though  'Sir  Matthew  Hale  was  a  very  religious  man, 
he  made  small  parade  of  devotion.  He  carefully  observed 
the  Sabbath,  but  avoided  all  show  of  prayers  and  alms- 


LORD   CHIEF   JUSTICE    HALE.  105 

giving.  "A  tree  is  known  by  its  fruits',"  said  Bishop 
Burnet,  concerning  him.  "He  lived  not  only  without 
blame  among  men,  but  in  great  esteem  for  piety  and 
purity." 

"  Thus  lived  and  died,"  concludes  Burnet's  history  of 
him,  "  Sir  Matthew  Hale,  the  Lord  Chief  Justice  of 
England.  He  was  favoured  by  one  of  the  blessings  of 
virtue  which  does  not  always  follow  it — he  was  uni- 
versally honoured  by  men  of  all  sides  and  persuasions. 
His  name  is  never  mentioned  since  his  death  but  in 
accents  of  respect.  None  could  hate  him  but  for  his 
virtues;  and  all  that  knew  him  will  ever  speak  of  him  as 
one  of  the  most  perfect  patterns  of  religion  and  goodness 
they  ever  saw." 

Sir  Matthew  Hale  left  many  religious  works,  which 
are  still  republished  and  read.  Some  of  these  are  short 
tracts  : — "  Directions  how  to  observe  the  Lord's  Day. — 
(In  a  letter  to  his  children). — Of  Wisdom,  and  the  Fear 
of  God. — Of  Moderation  in  Anger. — Of  Patience  and 
Contentment."  These  are  full  of  instruction,  and  are  as 
edifying  now  as  they  ever  were. 


QUESTIONS. 


Who  was  Matthew  Hale  1— For  what  was  Mr.  Hale  estimable  ? 
— Did  Hale  correct  his  own  faults  1 — Did  Mr.  Hale  like  theatrical 
representations'? — What  profession  did  Mr.  Hale  prefer1? — Did 
Hale  like  serious  society] — What  hindered  Hale  from  going  to 
Holland? 


106  LORD    CHIEF    JUSTICE    HALE. 

What  corrected  Hale's  frivolous  habits'? — Who  led  Hale  to 
reformation  3 — How  does  the  law  in  England  dispose  of  a  man's 
fortune'! — Did  Mr.  Glanvil's  partiality  for  his  younger  son  injure 
the  elder] — How  did  the  younger  Glanvil  behave  towards  his 
brother  f 

What  circumstance  completed  Mr.  Hale's  reformation'? — Did 
Mr.  H.  forbear  from  the  use  of  wine  1 — Did  Mr.  H.  lead  a  serious 
life  1 — What  regulations  did  he  make  in  respect  to  employment  of 
time  1 — What  was  Hale's  morning  service  ? — What  said  Mr.  H. 
concerning  Employment'? 

What  resolutions  did  Hale  form  in  respect  to  Meat  and  Drink, 
and  amusement  1 — Of  Retirement  1 — Of  Conversation'? — Of  the 
close  of  the  day1? — How  shall  the  young  prepare  themselves  for 
usefulness  and  happiness  1 

How  shall  a  young  man  prepare  for  a  virtuous  life  1 — Are  the 
same  virtues  good  in  all  conditions  of  life  ] — What  influence  had 
Mr.  Selden  over  Mr.  Hale  1 — Was  Mr.  H.'s  learning  confined  to 
law  1 — With  what  sciences  was  Mr.  H.  acquainted  1 — Of  all  studies, 
which  did  Mr.  H.  prefer  ? 

What  habits  fitted  Mr.  H.  for  constant  improvement  1 — Was 
Mr.  H.  a  benevolent  man  ] — Who  made  Mr.  H.  a  judge  ] — What 
absurd  measure  in  parliament  did  Mr.  H.  oppose '!— What  was  the 
effect  of  Mr.  H.'s  opposition  1 

How  did  Mr.  H.  act  as  a  judge  ] — Was  Hale  a  respecter  of 
persons  7 — What  is  the  use  of  public  punishment  of  crimes  1 — 
What  political  and  religious  parties  prevailed  during  Judge  Hale's 
life  ] — What  was  the  conduct  of  these  parties  ? — How  did  Judge 
H.  act  towards  all  parties'? — Did  Judge  H.  aid  the  Noncon- 
formists 1 

What  did  Judge  H.  consider  the  indispensable  things  of  reli- 
gion'?— What  appointment  was  made  for  Judge  H.  in  1671  ? — Did 
Judge  H.  receive  a  pension  1 — How  did  Sir  Matthew  Hale  end 
his  days'? — Whose  verse  did  he  paraphrase  1 
When  did  Sir  Matthew  Hale  die  1 — How  did  Mr.  H.  regard  pro- 


MARY  EVELYN.  107 

perty  1 — Was  Sir  M.  H.  compassionate  to  the  poor  1 — What  were 
Sir  M.  H.'s  domestic  habits. 

What  instance  is  related  of  Judge  H.'s  tenderness  to  brutes  1 — 
Was  H.  ostentatious  in  devotion  1 — What  is  Burnet's  character  of 
H,  ]— What  writings  did  Sir  M.  H.  leave  1 


MARY    EVELYN. 


Many  persons  like  to  read  stories,  that  is  narrative : 
they  like  fiction,  or  tales  of  those  who  never  lived.  Such 
narratives  are  entertaining,  and  they  may  be  instructive, 
also,  for  they  often  teach  what  is  right  or  what  is  wrong, 
and  they  often  show  that  happiness  is  allotted  to  the 
good,  and  punishment  and  pain  to  the  bad.  But  a  true 
history,  or  recorded  facts — what  has  happened  or  been 
done,  affords  the  most  useful  information  and  the  best 
examples. 

Mr.  John  Evelyn  was  an  English  gentleman,  who 
lived  in  England  aborit  one  hundred  and  fifty  years  ago. 
He  owned  the  house  at  Deptford  where  Peter  of  Russia 
lived  when  he  .was  in  England.  Mr.  Evelyn  was  fond 
of  gardening,  and  his  grounds  were  in  fine  order  when 
the  Tzar  went  to  reside  at  Saye's  Court,  (so  the  place 
was  called);   but  the  Russians,  during  the  short  time 


108  MARY   EVELYN. 

they  dwelt  there,  were  very  destructive  to  his  hedges 
and  walks. 

The  same  care  and  order  which  embellished  Mr. 
Evelyn's  grounds  adorned  his  own  mind,  and  that  of  his 
family.  Two  of  his  children,  who  died  very  young, 
were  admirably  educated.  Mary  Evelyn,  the  most  re- 
markable of  these  young  persons,  died  of  small-pox,  at 
the  age  of  nineteen.   . 

Mary  Evelyn  was  born  at  Wotton,  in  Surrey,  about 
twenty  miles  from  London.  She  was  educated  in  her 
father's  house,  chiefly  by  her  father  and  mother,  who 
were  sometimes  assisted  by  a  domestic  tutor  that  in- 
structed her  brothers.  Mary  had  a  beautiful  face,  a 
pleasing  form,  and  very  graceful  manners.  Her  father, 
in  his  account  of  her,  says  that,  compared  with  those  of 
her  mind,  these  were  her  least  ornaments.  Some  of  her 
great  virtues  and  excellent  acquirements  he  has  described 
as  follows. 

She  was  singularly  religious,  spending  part  of  every 
day  in  private  devotion,  reading,  and  other  virtuous 
exercises.  She  wrote  out  many  of  the  most  useful  pas- 
sages of  the  books  she  read  in  a  kind  of  common-place, 
as  from  Hammond  on  the  New  Testament,  and  other 
practical  treatises.  She  also  read  a  great  deal  of  history. 
The  French  tongue  was  as  familiar  to  her  as  the  Eng- 
lish, and  she  understood  Italian. 

This  young  lady  did  not  feel  satisfied  with  learning 
school-tasks,  but  she  had  great  pleasure  in  other  and 
higher  learning ;  and  she  read  to  improve,  as  well  as  to 


MARY   EVELYN.  109 

amuse  herself.  She  had  rare  discernment,  and  a  faithful 
memory,  and  was  able  to  render  a  laudable  account  of 
what  she  read  and  saw.  She  took  delight  in  the  con- 
versation of  wise  persons,  and  listened  to  them  with 
reverence.  Her  father  introduced  her  to  many  ex- 
cellent men  and  women,  and  she  profited  by  their  dis- 
course. 

She  made  large  collections  from  her  various  reading 
of  historians,  poets,  and  travellers,  and  composed  prayers 
and  meditations  on  many  occasions.  She  had  an  inti- 
mate friendship  with  a  pious  minister,  to  whom  she 
confided  all  her  sentiments,  modestly  entreating  him  to 
afford  her  instruction  and  advice. 

Though  Mary  Evelyn  loved  and  enjoyed  the  exer- 
cises of  piety  and  rational  conversation,  she  was  ca- 
pable of  entertaining  herself  and  others  by  music  and 
dancing,  and  such  accomplishments  as  are  often  taught 
to  young  persons.  Some  occupy  almost  all  their  time 
in  acquiring  these  accomplishments ;  but  this  young  lady 
found  leisure  to  learn  all  that  is  necessary  and  all  that  is 
becoming,  without  neglecting  one  for  the  other. 

She  had  a  sweet  voice,  which  was  cultivated  by  two 
Italian  teachers  of  that  day,  Pietro  and  Bartolomeo.  She 
played  upon  the  harpsichord,  and  was  accounted  the 
best  scholar  of  her  masters.  This  elegant  accomplish- 
ment produced  in  her  no  vanity ;  but  she  delighted  to 
gratify  her  friends  by  her  performances  whenever  it 
pleased  them  to  hear  her ;  and  she  did  this  with  such 
sweetness  and  grace,  that  her  friends,  when  they  were 


HO  MARY   EVELYN. 

thus  entertained,  would  say  she  was  as  charming  to  the 
eye  as  the  ear. 

"  What  shall  I  say,  or  rather  what  shall  I  not  say," 
wrote  her  father,  "  of  the  cheerfulness  and  agreeableness 
of  her  humour — condescending  to  the  humblest  member 
of  the  family,  she  kept  up  their  respect  for  her  without 
the  least  pride."  She  would  often  read  to  the  servants, 
and  would  examine  and  instruct  them,  or  pray  with 
them  when  they  were  sick ;  so  that  she  was  exceedingly 
beloved  by  every  body. 

She  was  so  habitually  pious,  that  religion  animated  all 
her  words  and  actions ;  and  she  no  sooner  became  inti- 
mately acquainted  with  any  person,  but  she  would 
endeavour  to  improve  such  acquaintance  by  religious 
conversation.  She  had  one  or  two  friends,  with  whom 
she  would  pass  whole  days  in  reading  books  of  devotion 
and  piety,  and  in  discoursing  with  them  upon  such  sub- 
jects. 

She  was  remarkably  sincere,  and  described  whatever 
she  had  seen  or  heard  with  the  most  perfect  simplicity 
and  truth.  She  never  flattered  any  person,  or  praised 
what  ought  not  to  be  approved.  Though  she  was  very 
lively  and  witty,  she  never  suffered  herself  to  wound  or 
ridicule  any  person ;  and  she  would  never  display  her 
own  talent  at  the  expense  of  another's  complacency  and 
peace  of  mind. 

She  went  sometimes  to  see  a  play;  but,  when  the 
pieces  exhibited  were  not  perfectly  pure  and  delicate, 
she  saw  them  with  disgust,  and  often  refused  to  go  to 


MARY   EVELYN.  Ill 

the  theatre.  She  would  never  consent  to  engage  in  any 
frivolous,  noisy,  and  unbecoming  diversion,  nor  do  any 
thing  for  her  own  pleasure  that  might  disturb  or  offend 
others.       • 

As  she  delighted  in  reading,  she  perfectly  understood 
the  sense  of  a  book — would  enquire  into  its  meaning 
and  make  herself  mistress  of  it.  Mr.  Evelyn  was  a  great 
assistance  to  Mary  in  her  studies.  He  was  an  accom- 
plished scholar,  possessed  an  extensive. library,  and  took 
much  delight  in  the  conversation  of  his  admirable 
daughter.  He  said  that  he  had  often  been  assisted  by 
her  in  reading  and  prayer. 

Her  father  encouraged  Mary  to  express  whatever  she 
thought.  Her  ideas  he  found  original  and  comprehen- 
sive ;  and  so  eager  was  she  to  gain  knowledge,  that  he 
felt  it  his  duty  sometimes  to  restrain  her,  lest  by  too 
much  application,  she  might  ruin  her  health.  "  Nothing 
was  so  delightful  to  her,"  says  Mr.  Evelyn,  in  his  Diary, 
"  as  to  go  into  my  study,  for,  as  I  have  said,  she  had 
read  abundance  of  history,  and  all  the  best  poets,  even 
Terence,  Plautus,  Homer,  Virgil,  Horace,  and  Ovid,  and 
all  the  best  romances  and  modern  poems."* 

She  read  poetry  and  prose  with  just  taste  and  enun- 
ciation; and  as  she  read,  so  she  wrote — with  correct 


*  Homer,  Plautus,  Terence,  Virgil,  Horace,  Ovid. — Homer  was 
a  Greek  poet,  and  the  others  were  Roman  poets  who  wrote  in 
Latin.  Mary  Evelyn  was  able  to  read  the  works  of  these  poets  in 
the  original  languages. 


112  MARY   EVELYN. 

orthography  according  to  the  practice  of  that  time :  and 
her  sentiments  and  expressions  were  so  much  above 
her  years  as  to  astonish  her  father  and  his  friends.  She 
had  a  talent  of  reciting  dramatic  and  otfcer  poetry, 
such  as  suited  her  elegant  taste,  with  wonderful  grace 
and  expression. 

She  danced  "  with  an  air  of  sprightly  modesty  not  to 
be  described ;"  her  whole  deportment  and  manner  was 
perfectly  easy  and  unaffected,  and  what  she  said  was 
commended  by  her  gentleness  and  the  sweet  tones  of  her 
voice ;  and  she  would  caress  and  play  with  little  children 
with  the  sweetest  tenderness.  The  love  of  learning  did 
not  prevent  her  from  knowing  and  doing  whatever  is 
proper  for  a  female  to  know  and  do.  She  was  ingenious 
in  all  arts  and  ornaments  suitable  to  ladies — used  the 
needle,  and  dressed  with  neatness  and  taste. 

Mr.  Evelyn  wrote  a  book  upon  dress  and  ornament  in 
all  countries;  designing  by  it  to  show  what  sort  of 
apparel  was  rational  and  elegant,  and  how  dress  might 
become  extravagant  and  vain.  In  the  preparation  of 
this  work,  he  was  assisted  by  the  information  that  Mary 
could  afford  him  from  her  own  reading  and  observation. 
"  But  all  these  were  vain  trifles,"  said  Mr.  Evelyn,  "  com- 
pared to  the  virtues  that  adorned  her  soul :"  and  he  then 
proceeds  to  describe  those  virtues  more  fully. 

Only  her  piety  to  God  was  superior  to  the  love  and 
duty  she  showed  her  parents ;  who,  indeed,  deserved  her 
warmest  affection  for  the  care  and  tenderness  with 
which  they  cultivated  and  cherished  those  talents  and 


MARY   EVELYN.  113 

virtues.  She  was  always  very  affectionate  and  amiable 
in  her  behaviour  to  her  brother  and  sisters,  and  they 
profited  by  her  beautiful  example  of  piety  and  good- 
ness. 

"  Dear,  sweet,  and  desirable  child !"  wrote  her  afflict- 
ed father  immediately  after  her  death,  "  how  shall  I  part 
with  all  this  virtue  and  goodness  without  the  bitterest 
sorrow !  Nor  less  dear  to  thy  mother,  whose  example 
and  tender  care  of  thee  were  unparalleled  ;  nor  was  thy 
return  to  her  less  conspicuous.  How  she.  mourns  thy 
loss  !     How  desolate  hast  thou  left  us !" 

This  young  lady  had  different  proposals  of  marriage, 
but  she  preferred  remaining  with  her  parents.  Con- 
versing one  day  with  her  father,  she  said,  "  were  I 
assured  of  your  life,  and  my  dear  mother's,  never  would 
I  part  from  you ;  I  love  you  and  this  home,  where  we 
serve  God  above  alL  things.  Never  shall  I  be  so  happy. 
I  know  and  consider  the  vanity  of  the  world.  I  wish  you 
would  bestow  the  fortune  you  design  for  me  upon  my 
sisters."  This  generous  love  to  her  parents  and  sisters 
was  apparent  in  her  whole  conduct  towards  them. 

How  so  young  a  person  came  to  speak  of  the  vanity 
of  the  world,  will  appear  from  the  following  relation. 
Near  Mr.  Evelyn's  country-house,  lived  the  family  of 
Lord  Falkland ;  that  nobleman  and  his  lady  were  among 
the  most  accomplished  persons  in  England,  and  Lady 
Falkland,  particularly,  was  charmed  with  the  lovely 
Mary  Evelyn,  so  that  she  much  desired  her  society. 

In  the  autumn  of  1684,  a  few  months  before  this  ad- 
8 


114  MARY    EVELYN. 

mirable  young  creature  died,  Lady  Falkland  importuned 
her  parents  to  permit  her  to  go  to  London,  and  spend 
some  time  with  her ;  and  they  consented,  though  Mary 
never  left  home  without  reluctance.  Mary,  at  the  end 
of  February,  expressed  a  desire  to  return  to  her  father 
and  mother,  "  being  tired,"  says  her  father,  "  of  the  vain 
and  empty  conversation  of  the  town,  the  theatres,  the 
court,  and  the  trifling  visits  which  consume  so  much 
precious  time,  and  which  sometimes  made  her  miss  that 
regular  course  of  piety  which  gave  her  so  much  satis- 
faction." She  had  seen  this  frivolous  society  before, 
and  though  excellent  persons  were  found  in  it,  she  could 
not  enjoy  its  sin  and  folly. 

Some  ladies  of  the  court  wished  to  obtain  for  her  the 
place  of  maid  of  honour  to  the  queen ;  but  this  she  did 
not  desire,  because  such  a  station  would  have  deprived 
her  of  the  liberty  and  quiet  she  loved.  This  was  the 
queen  of  Charles  II.,  and  the  court  was  one  of  the  most 
wicked  ever  kept  in  England.  The  ladies  who  resided 
in  it,  for  the  most  part,  little  resembled  Mary  Evelyn; 
and  their  conversation  and  amusements  would  have 
grieved  and  shocked  hei^  serious  mind. 

Mary  was  about  nineteen  when  she  caught  the  small- 
pox. Being  on  a  visit  to  another  lady,  she  accompanied 
her  friend  to  Lady  Falkland's.  A  servant  of  Lady 
Falkland  was  ill  of  small-pox,  and  Mary  took  the  dis- 
ease from  the  atmosphere  of  the  house.  Her  state  was 
soon  declared  to  be  highly  dangerous.  Being  informed 
of  her  danger,  she  heard  of  it  with  the  most  perfect 


MARY   EVELYN.  115 

submission  to  the  divine  will,  and  bore  her  sufferings 
with  extraordinary  patience  and  piety. 

She  died,  March  14th,  1685,  to  the  inexpressible  grief 
of  her  parents,  and  to  the  affliction  of  all  who  knew  her; 
and  among  these  were  some  of  the  greatest  and  best  of 
the  time.  The  preceding  particulars  of  Mary  Evelyn, 
are  taken  from  Mr.  Evelyn's  Diary.  "  This,"  says  her 
father,  "  is  an  imperfect  account  of  my  dear  child,  whose 
piety,  virtue,  and  incomparable  endowments,  deserve  a 
monument  more  lasting  than  brass  and  marble." 

The  true  monument  of  the  virtuous  dead  is  in  the 
hearts  of  the  living.  One  hundred  and  fifty  years  have 
elapsed  since  this  excellent  young  lady  left  the  world — 
but  the  memory  of  the  just  is  blessed — being  dead,  she 
yet  speaketh — her  example  still  survives,  and  is  worthy 
to  be  followed  by  every  young  person.  Dr.  Holden,  the 
family  minister,  preached  an  appropriate  sermon  on  the 
occasion  of  her  death,  "  which  drew  tears  and  admira- 
tion from  the  hearers."  "  I  was  not  altogether  unwilling 
that  something  of  the  kind  should  be  spoken,"  said  her 
father,  "  for  the  edification  and  encouragement  of  other 
young  people." 

The  edification  and  encouragement  of  Mary  Evelyn's 
example,  belong  as  much  to  those  who  read  of  her  now, 
as  to  those  who  heard  that  funeral  sermon ;  her  piety, 
purity,  modesty,  industry  and  generosity ;  the  love  she 
showed  to  her  parents,  sisters  and  friends;  and  her 
charity  to  the  ignorant  and  poor,  can  be  practised  by 
young  persons  now  as  well  as  ever,  and  are  earnestly 
commended  to  their  imitation. 


116  MARY    EVELYN. 

That  such  a  short  life  could  accumulate  so  much  that 
might  serve  and  adorn  the  longest  life,  at  once  impresses 
the  duty  to  do  likewise,  and  the  possibility  of  doing  it. 
So  much  has  been  done,  therefore,  so  much  may  be  done. 
Every  species  of  excellence,  whether  it  be  mere  accom- 
plishment, or  great  acquisitions  in  knowledge,  or  great 
exertions  of  goodness,  must  be  attained  by  self-culture, 
over  and  above  all  opportunity  of  education,  or  any 
pains-taking  of  others. 


QUESTIONS. 


Is  truth  or  fiction  the  most  profitable  reading  ? — Who  was  Mr. 
Evelyn  ? — Who  was  Mary  Evelyn  ? — For  what  was  Mary  E.  re- 
markable ? — Was  Mary  E.  studious  ? 

Did  Mary  E.  love  instruction  ? — What  account  did  she  keep  of 
her  reading  ] — Was  Mary  accomplished  ? — Was  this  young  lady 
vain  and  proud  ! — How  did  Mary  E.  treat  every  body  ? — Was  Mary 
religious  ? 

Was  Mary  Evelyn  remarkable  for  sincerity  and  delicacy? — Did 
Mary  like  the  theatre1? — Did  Mary  profit  by  her  father's  counsel? 
— What  authors  did  Mary  enjoy? — Did  Mary  write  with  elegance  ? 
— Did  this  young  girl  excel  in  whatever  she  did  ? 

Did  Mr.  Evelyn  esteem  most  her  accomplishments  or  virtues  ? — 
What  was  Mary's  behaviour  to  her  parents,  &c.  ? — How  did  Mr. 
Evelyn  lament  his  daughter? — Did  Mary  wish  to  remain  with  her 
parents? — Did  accomplished  persons  cultivate  the  society  of  Mary 
Evelyn  ? — Did  Mary  E.  like  the  gay  society  she  saw  in  London  ? 

Did  Mary  Evelyn  desire  a  place  at  court  ? — How  did  Mary  E. 
bear  sickness? — Who  wrote  an  account  of  this  young  person? — 
Does  this  example  teach  any  thing  ? — Is  this  example  imitable  ? — 
How  is  all  virtue  attainable  ? 


(  117  ) 


SIR  WILLIAM  PHIPPS 


It  must  be  well  known  to  the  readers  of  these  memoirs 
of  good  men,  that  the  United  States  of  America  have 
displayed  many  examples  of  virtue,  as  shining  and  as 
imitable  as  Europe  has  ever  afforded,  in  ancient  or 
modern  times.  The  settlement  of  these  states  originated 
in  the  virtue  of  the  first  colonists,  and  many  eminent  in- 
dividuals anumg  their  descendants  have  emulated  their 
excellence. 

In  the  beginning  of  the  seventeenth  century,  the  people 
of  England  were  required  to  worship  God  under  the 
forms  of  the  Episcopal  church.  Those  who  thought  it 
wrong  to  do  so,  and  who  preferred  another  service,  and 
practised  it,  were  hindered  and  troubled  for  doing  so,  and 
were  sometimes  thrown  into  prison  and  deprived  of  their 
property,  besides  suffering  innumerable  wrongs,  not  less 
distressing. 

Because  they  suffered  these  persecutions,  numbers  of 
them  emigrated  to  America,  and  the  Massachusetts 
colony,  about  the  middle  of  the  century,  [1650]  became 
the  most  considerable  English  settlement  in  America. 
This  colony,  and  all  others  composed  of  Englishmen 
which  settled  along  the  Atlantic  coast,  were  governed 


118  SIR   WILLIAM    PH1PPS. 

by  the  laws  of  England,  and  by  magistrates  appointed  in 
England. 

They  had  a  charter,  or  writing  from  the  king  of 
England,  which  permitted  them  to  hold  their  property, 
and  regulate  their  affairs,  after  rules  laid  down  in  the 
charter.  The  colonists  paid  taxes  to  the  English,  and 
submitted  themselves  to  what  the  laws  demanded  of 
them,  with  fidelity,  and  sincere  attachment  to  the  king 
of  England. 

Some  of  the  English  governors  of  Massachusetts  were 
tyrannical,  exacting,  and  oppressive  to  the  colonists,  so 
that  the  latter  sent  complaints  of  their  sufferings  to  the 
king  of  England,  and  demanded  some  redress.  Of  these 
governors,  Sir  Edmund  Andros  was  the  most  unpopular. 
The  people  remonstrated  against  his  government,  and  at 
the  request  of  their  commissioners,  the  king  of  England, 
William  III.,  appointed  Sir  William  Phipps  governor  in 
1691. 

The  history  and  character  of  Phipps  are  interesting, 
and  may  be  useful  at  the  present  time.  He  was  distin- 
guished by  many  virtues,  and  particularly  by  the  energy 
and  perseverance  which  complete  the  undertakings  that 
an  active  and  far-seeing  mind  first  resolves  upon,  and 
then  engages  in,  with  good  hope  of  success. 


In  1650,  Maine,  now  a  populous  and  powerful  state, 
was  a  wild  country,  inhabited  by  scattered  tribes  of 
Indians,  and  a  few  white  settlers.     Of  the  latter  was 


SIR   WILLIAM   PHIPPS.  119 

James  Phipps,  a  blacksmith,  a  native  of  Bristol,  in  Eng- 
land, who  had  come  to  America  some  years  before,  and 
established  himself  and  his  family  on  the  Kennebeck 
river,  in  the  midst  of  a  small  village  of  English  emigrants. 

James  Phipps  had  a  large  family  of  twenty-one  sons. 
William  was  among  the  younger  of  this  flock.  His 
father  died  while  he  was  yet  a  boy,  and  he  became  an 
active  help  to  his  widowed  mother.  When  he  was  about 
fourteen,  he  bound  himself  apprentice  to  a  shipwright, 
who  built  small  vessels  on  the  Kennebeck  river,  and  he 
served  as  a  ship-carpenter  till  he  was  eighteen  years  of 
age.  . 

Phipps  then  formed  a  plan  to  go  to  Boston,  the  chief 
town  in  New  England,  where  he  presumed  that  he 
should  find  his  labour  more  profitable.  His  friends  loved 
him,  and  urged  him  to  continue  with  them,  and  carry  on 
his  business  where  he  had  learned  it ;  but  he  felt  a  strong 
desire  to  know  and  to  do  something  better  than  he  could 
know  or  do  in  that  country,  and  therefore  persevered  in 
his  purpose. 

In  1668,  he  travelled  to  Bflston,  and  made  an  engage- 
ment there  to  work  at  his  trade  for  a  year.  He  had  not 
even  been  taught  to  read  and  write ;  but  in  Boston  such 
ignorance  was  very  uncommon,  and  would  have  been 
disgraceful.  It  was  not  difficult  for  any  young  person 
to  procure  instruction,  and  William  Phipps  found  both 
time  and  means  to  put  himself  upon  an  equality  with 
other  young  men  in  his  station  of  life.    If  he  had  had  no 


120  SIR    WILLIAM    PHIPPS. 

honourable  ambition,  he  might  have  ended  his  days  in 
the  ignorance  and  obscurity  in  which  he  began  life. 

During  this  first  year  of  his  residence  in  Boston,  he 
commended  himself  to  the  person  who  employed  him, 
and  to  others  who  became  acquainted  wTith  him.  When 
he  was  twenty-one,  he  contracted  with  some  gentlemen 
in  that  town  to  build  them  a  ship  on  the  Sheepscot  river, 
ten  miles  eastward  of  Kennebeck,  to  procure  a  load  of 
lumber,  and  to  return  with  the  vessel  to  Boston. 

The  contractors  furnished  him  with  money  for  the 
enterprise,  being  confident  of  his  skill  and  integrity ;  and 
Mr.  Phipps  proceeded  to  fulfil  his  contract.  The  ship 
accordingly  was  built,  the  freight  procured,  and  he  was 
about  to  load  the  vessel,  when  the  Indians  invaded  the 
little  settlement  where  his  friends  and  relatives  dwelt, 
and  threw  them  all  into  the  greatest  danger  and  alarm. 

These  poor  people  had  no  sufficient  defence  against 
the  Indian  incursions,  and  of  course  Phipps  felt  that  their 
preservation  was  of  the  first  importance,  and  that  he 
ought  to  assist  them  as  much  as  lay  in  his  power ;  so, 
without  regard  to  the  profit  he  might  lose,  he  left  his  in- 
tended burthen,  and  conveyed  his  friends  and  former 
neighbours,  with  their  families,  free  of  charge,  to  Boston, 
where  they  were  safely  landed,  and  were  enabled  to 
provide  for  themselves.  ■ 


This  act  of  humanity  left  Phipps  without  money ;  but 
he  heard  of  a  circumstance  soon  after,  which  disposed 


SIR    WILLIAM    PHIPPS.  121 

his  adventurous  mind  to  a  new  and  hazardous  undertak- 
ing. At  that  time  Mexico  and  the"  neighbouring  countries 
belonged  to  Spain,  and  afforded  immense  quantities  of 
silver  and  gold.  These  precious  metals  were  refined 
from  the  ore,  and  were  often  sent  in  bullion,  in  large 
masses,  from  America  to  Europe. 

The  English  were  at  war  with  Spain,  and,  without 
regard  to  the  right  of  the  case,  would  take  any  Spanish 
vessel,  and  all  which  it  contained,  wherever  they  could 
meet  with  it  on  the  ocean. 

The  Spanish  galleons,  as  these  vessels  were  called, 
besides  being  taken  by  the  English,  were  liable  to  strike 
upon  rocks,  and  to  sink  to  the  bottom.  When  this  was 
known  to  have  happened,  the  English  conceived,  that  by 
means  of  diving-bells  and  other  instruments,  these  lost 
treasures  might  be  reclaimed  from  the  sea,  and  some- 
times they  sent  out  vessels  to  seek  the  Spanish  wrecks. 

William  Phipps  having  heard  of  a  valuable  vessel  that 
had  been  wrecked,  and  which  had  long  remained  undis- 
covered, conceived  that  by  some  perseverance  in  the 
search,  he  might  be  the  means  of  recovering  the  wealth 
thus  lost ;  and  he  went  to  England  in  order  to  procure 
a  commission  to  prosecute  the  undertaking  with  adequate 
means. 

It  required  a  long  course  of  application  to  rich  per- 
sons to  procure  these  means,  but  at  length  he  was  fur- 
nished with  a  frigate  and  ninety-five  men,  to  go  out  to 
the  West  Indies  in  pursuit  of  his  object.  For  a  long 
time  no  prospect  of  success  appeared,  and  the  men, 


122  SIR    WILLIAM    PHIPPS. 

tired  of  toiling  without  accomplishing  any  thing,  like  the 
marines  under  command  of  Columbus,  mutinied  against 
their  captain. 

They  were  unprincipled  fellows,  and  one  day  they 
suddenly  rushed  upon  Captain  Phipps  on  the  quarter- 
deck, and  demanded  of  him  to  give  up  his  enterprise, 
and  begin  a  piratical  warfare  upon  vessels  in  the  South 
sea.  Phipps,  nothing  daunted  at  their  desperate  pro- 
posal, struck  some  to  the  ground  as  they  approached 
him,  and  quelled  the  whole,  by  the  energy  and  dignity 
with  which  he  resisted  their  violence. 

On  another  occasion,  while  the  ship  was  repairing,  all 
the  men,  except  nine  or  ten,  went  on  shore  and  entered 
into  a  conspiracy  to  take  the  ship,  and  go  in  it  whither 
they  would.  One  of  the  number,  who  was  faithful  to 
the  captain,  contrived  to  return  to  the  vessel  and  give 
him  notice  of  their  design.  The  spirit  of  Phipps  was 
sufficient  for  this  emergency,  and  he  commanded  those 
who  remained  on  board  to  take  measures  that  defeated 
the  conspirators. 

He  demanded  of  them  to  stand  by  him — saying,  "  By 
the  help  of  God,  he  had  no  fear  of  their  devices."  The 
vessel  was  armed  to  defend  itself  against  the  Spaniards, 
who  were  always  lying  in  wait  for  the  English,  and 
Phipps,  cutting  off  the  return  of  the  men  to  the  vessel,  by 
pulling  up  a  temporary  bridge  on  which  they  had  passed 
to  the  shore,  caused  the  guns  to  be  pointed  at  them  as 
they  returned  towards  the  ship. 

When  they  perceived  the  situation  they  were  in,  they 


SIR    WILLIAM    PHIPPS.  123 

were  thrown  into  great  alarm.  Phipps  took  the  occasion 
to  show  them,  that  if  he  should  leave  them  all  to  perish 
on  a  desolate  island,  he  should  only  do  to  them  what  they 
had  proposed  to  do  to  him,  but  that  he  would  forgive 
their  misconduct  if  they  would  promise  to  submit  to  his 
authority.  * 

These  men,  seeing  that  they  were  wholly  in  the  power 
of  their  commander,  fell  upon  their  knees,  and  entreated 
his  forgiveness.  They  protested  that  they  had  only  re- 
quired him  to  engage  in  a  profitable  adventure,  which  he 
had  refused  to  do,  but  that  they  would  gladly  live  and 
die  with  him,  if  he  would  pardon  them.  This  he  thought 
prudent  to  do. 

It  must  be  recollected,  that  these  poor  men  had  re- 
ceived no  moral  education.  They  did  not  understand 
that  one  king's  ships  might  take  another  king's,  and  that 
the  subjects  of  those  kings  must  not  take  the  property  of 
other  subjects,  that  a  public  wrong  might  be  practised, 
and  that  a  private  wrong  must  be  punished.  Such  prin- 
ciples were  then  admitted,  but  it  may  be  hoped,  that  in 
time  to  come,  princes  and  governments,  and  all  men  in 
power,  will  decree  justice,  and  avoid  all  wrong-doing 
and  violence  as  much  as  private  persons,  in  their  mutual 
conduct. 


The  mutinous  seamen  were  afterwards  discharged  at 
the  island  of  Jamaica,  but  Captain  Phipps  was  obliged 
to  return  to  England  without  recovering  the  wreck.  He, 


124  SIR   WILLIAM    PHIPPS. 

however,  was  not  easily  discouraged,  and,  by  the  ad- 
vice of  an  old  Spaniard,  he  resolved  to  try  again ;  and 
so  a  vessel  was  fitted  out  for  him,  with  a  better  crew, 
under  the  patronage  of  the  Duke  of  Albemarle.  At  a 
port  in  the  West  Indies,  he  had  a  canoe  made  from  a 
cotton  tree,  large  enougn  to  carry  eight  men ;  and,  with 
the  old  Spaniard  for  a  guide,  commenced  a  new  search 
for  the  wreck. 

They  floated  about,  fishing  for  the  sunken  treasure, 
week  after  week,  among  rocks  and  shoals.  Once  or  twice 
they  determined  to  abandon  the  search ;  and  at  last  were 
returning,  discouraged,  to  the  ship,  when  one  of  the  men, 
looking  into  the  water,  thought  he  saw  a  feather  growing 
out  of  a  rock.  An  expert  Indian  diver  was  ordered  to 
plunge  down  and  bring  it  up. 

He  did  so,  and  gave  an  account,  when  he  came  up, 
of  some  large  guns  he  had  seen  under  water.  He  went 
down  again,  and,  to  the  joy  and  astonishment  of  all, 
brought  up  a  lump  of  silver,  which  proved  to  be  worth 
a  thousand  dollars.  Diving-bells  and  other  instruments 
were  now  procured  as  soon  as  possible,  and  all  hands 
set  to  work.  They  raised,  in  a  few  days,  the  immense 
quantity  of  thirty-two  tons  of  silver. 

Captain  Addbily,  an  adventurer  from  Providence,  and 
a  particular  friend  of  Captain  Phipps,  obtained  six  tons 
at  the  same  time.  He  was  so  overjoyed  with  his  im- 
mense wealth,  that  he  became  insane,  and  died  in  less 
than  two  years.  Phipps  arrived  safe  in  London,  in  1687, 
with  a  cargo  valued  at  a  million  and  a  half  of  dollars. 


SIR    WILLIAM    PHIPPS.  125 

He  made  an  honest  distribution  of  it  among  all  who  were 
concerned  in  the  vessel,  and  received  seventy-five  thou- 
sand dollars  for  his  own  share. 

The  Duke  of  Albemarle  gave  Phipps's  wife,  who  was 
then  in  New  England,  a  valuable  gold  cup ;  and  King 
James  gave  Phipps  himself  the  honour  of  knighthood, 
from  which  time  he  was  called  Sir  William  Phipps. 


In  England,  Sir  William  Phipps  received  several  in- 
vitations to  remain,  and  accept  of  profitable  employment 
there,  but  the  love  of  his  native  country  would  not  suffer 
him  to  reside  in  another.  New  England  was  suffering 
under  the  arbitrary  government  of  Andros.  The  first 
charters  had  been  taken  away,  and  the  people  were 
given  up  to  the  will  of  a  selfish  chief  magistrate,  and 
others  of  a  disposition  as  unjust  as  himself. 

After  five  years  of  absence,  Sir  William  Phipps  re- 
turned to  Boston — to  his  wife  and  his  friends.  He  had 
hoped  to  prevent  some  of  the  evils  which  Andros  and 
his  party  were  inflicting  upon  the  colonists;  but  he  found, 
after  a  few  months,  that  he  could  do  nothing  to  serve 
them,  and  he  returned  to  England,  that  he  might  repre- 
sent to  the  king  the  sufferings  of  his  loyal  subjects  in 
Massachusetts. 

Possessed  of  great  wealth  for  the  time  in  which  he 
lived,  Sir  William  Phipps  had  no  need,  for  his  own  ad- 
vantage, to  do  any  thing  for  the  public,  but  he  reasoned 
thus — "  I  may  sit  at  home  if  I  will,  and  enjoy  my  ease 


126  SIR    WILLIAM    PHIPPS. 

for  the  rest  of  my  life,  biit  I  believe  that  I  should  offend 
God  by  doing  so.  I  am  still  strong  and  vigorous,  and  I 
thank  God  for  it.  I  am  able  to  perform  some  services 
to  the  state — and  it  is  my  duty  to  employ  my  life  in  doing 
good,  before  a  useless  old  age  overtakes  me.  I  am  ready 
to  do  whatever  I  shall  be  called  upon  to  do :  I  was  born 
for  others  as  well  as  myself."* 

In  his  time,  the  French  and  English  people  had  a  great 
aversion  to  each  other,  and  they  endeavoured  to  injure 
one  another  whenever  they  had  an  opportunity.  Canada 
and  Nova  Scotia  were  inhabited  by  French  colonists, 
and  governed  by  French  magistrates,  and  the  Canadian 
French  did  whatever  they  could  to  disturb  their  English 
neighbours  in  New  England. 

The  greatest  injury  they  could  inflict  was  to  incite  the 
Indians  to  enter  the  English  territory,  and  ravage  and 
destroy  the  property  of  the  colonists,  and  take  their  lives 
and  make  prisoners  of  them.  The  Indians  were  the 
more  willing  to  do  this,  because  the  English  had  taken 
their  lands,  and  had  not  endeavoured  to  make  friends  of 
them  as  they  should  have  done. 

Sir  William  Phipps,  when  he  heard  of  the  incursions 
of  the  Indians  upon  the  borders  of  New  England,  be- 
lieved that  the  only  way  to  prevent  them  from  commit- 
ting these  outrages,  was  to  make  a  conquest  of  the  pro- 
vinces of  Canada  and  Nova  Scotia,  that  thus  they  might 
belong  to  Britain,  and  the  inhabitants  be  made  to  keep 


*  Mather's  Magnalia. 


SIR   WILLIAM   PHIPPS.  127 

peace  with  New  England.  He  offered  his  services  in 
this  enterprise :  an  armament  deemed  sufficient  was  put 
under  his  command,  and  he  proceeded  to  the  coast  of 
Nova  Scotia,  and  afterwards  to  Quebec. 

The  French  fort  at  Port  Royal  was  taken,  but  the 
expedition  against  Canada  did  not  succeed,  and  Sir  Wil- 
liam left  it  in  possession  of  its  first  masters.  Failure  in 
this  enterprise  was  not  imputed  to  any  want  of  skill  or 
courage  on  his  part,  and  though  disappointed,  he  return- 
ed to  Boston,  hoping  to  serve  the  province  in  some  more 
effectual  way. 

In  1691,  some  commissioners  from  New  England 
represented  the  merits  of  Sir  William  Phipps  to  King 
William,  and  he  was  appointed  governor  of  the  province 
of  Massachusetts  Bay.  He  was  in  England  when  the 
appointment  was  made,  and  went  himself  to  thank  the 
king  for  this  mark  of  confidence  and  esteem. 

Governor  Phipps  was  known  in  Boston  to  be  a  gene- 
rous and  disinterested  man,  and  perfectly  friendly  to  all 
the  privileges  of  the  people.  His  return  to  the  country 
was  highly  acceptable  to  them,  and  a  day  of  thanksgiving 
was  appointed  to  celebrate  the  happy  occasion. 


It  is  necessary  here  to  mention  a  very  unhappy  delu- 
sion into  which  the  people  of  New  England  fell.  This 
was  a  belief  in  sorcery  and  witchcraft,  which  deceived 
many  persons,  and  brought  a  great  deal  of  trouble  among 
them. 


128  SIR    WILLIAM    PHIPPS. 

A  witch  is  a  person  supposed  to  be  possessed  by  some 
evil  spirit,  and  disposed,  and  able  to  do  hurt  to  others. 
We  know  that  we  are  composed  of  body  and  mind.  The 
mind  is  that  part  of  us  which  thinks  and  feels.  One 
person  has  one  body  and  one  mind.  The  mind  in  us 
which  thinks  to-day,  is  the  same  mind  which  thought 
yesterday,  and  we  know  it ;  but  it  is  supposed  that  another 
mind,  called  an  evil  spirit,  enters  into  the  witch's  body, 
and  governs  her  mind,  and  disposes  her  to  do  mischief. 

Now  this  is  altogether  false.  Still,  great  numbers  of 
persons  have  believed  that  this  was  actually  true ;  and 
they  supposed  that  the  witch  practised  an  art  called 
witchcraft,  and  could  bewitch,  or  make  sick,  or  insane,  or 
otherwise  hurt,  whomsoever  she  pleased — for  witches 
were  generally  supposed  to  be  females. 

Those  persons  who  believed  in  witchcraft,  whenever 
they  saw  a  person  have  hysteric  and  epileptic  fits,  and 
many  nervous  disorders,  would  say  the  diseased  person 
was  bewitched;  and  that  the  disease  was  caused  by  the 
malice  of  some  witch.  Many  children  and  mischievous 
persons,  imitated  the  disorders  which  really  afflicted 
others,  and  some  poor  old  woman,  or  man  would  be 
accused  of  bewitching  these  children. 

The  following  account  of  what  happened  in  Massa- 
chusetts, will  explain  the  nature  of  witchcraft,  or  rather 
of  what  for  a  time  was  believed  to  be  witchcraft.  Early 
in  1692,  Mr.  Paris,  a  minister  at  Salem,  had  two  daugh- 
ters, the  one  aged  nine,  and  the  other  eleven,  who  were 
suddenly  distressed  with  unaccountable  distempers.  They 


SIR    WILLIAM    PHIPPS.  12& 

had  been  beautiful  and  happy  children ;  but  they  began 
to  look  wild,  shriek,  and  tell  strange  stories,  and  sit  bare- 
foot among  the  ashes  in  the  fireplace,  with  their  clothes 
loose,  and  their  hair  flying,  like  mad  people. 

The  physicians,  finding  they  could  do  nothing  to  relieve 
them,  said  "  they  were  under  an  evil  hand."  The  neigh- 
bours now  began  to  consider  them  "  bewitched."  An 
Indian  servant  of  the  family  endeavoured  "  to  find  out 
the  witch."  The  children,  hearing  of  this,  complained 
of  this  Indian  woman,  that  she  pricked,  pinched,  and 
tormented  them.  They  said  she  appeared  to  them,  also, 
when  others  could  not  see  her  or  hear  her,  and  stared 
them  fiercely  in  the  face,  ran  out  her  tongue  at  them, 
and  frightened  them  excessively  in  various  other  ways. 

The  children  would  be  dumb  sometimes,  and  said  they 
had  pins  thrust  into  their  flesh,  by  somebody  that  could 
not  be  seen.  Mr.  Paris  wTas  much  alarmed,  and  almost 
the  whole  colony  besides.  Soon  more  persons  complained 
of  distress,  and  others  were  accused  of  bewitching  them. 
At  the  sight  of  each  other,  the  persons  supposed  to  be 
bewitched  would  fall  into  fits,  and  then,  at  the  touch  of 
each  other,  start  up  and  run  about  in  the  most  astonishing 
manner.  On  the  2d  of  March,  after  an  examination, 
some  persons,  accused  of  bewitching  others,  were  im- 
prisoned. Prayer-meetings  were  held  by  the  ministers. 
But  more  persons  became  affected  with  the  supposed 
witchcraft,  and  several  more  were  imprisoned  in  April. 

A  court  was  now  held  to  try  the  accused  persons,  and 
several  were  condemned.     On  the  10th  of  June,  a  poor 

9 


130  SIR    WILLIAM    PHIPPS. 

old  woman  was  hanged  at  Salem,  making  no  confession- 
Five  more  were  executed  on  the  19th  of  July,  six  more 
on  the  19th  of  August,  and  eight  others  in  September. 
One  of  these  last  was  a  minister,  Mr.  Burroughs.  He 
was  a  very  strong  man,  and  this  confirmed  them  in  the 
belief  that  he  held  intercourse  with  evil  spirits.  This 
innocent  man  was  hanged  without  mercy. 

Some  of  the  accused  persons  had  confessed  themselves 
guilty,  for  the  purpose  of  saving  their  lives,  for  none  who 
confessed  were  executed.  Some  people  believed  in  an- 
other method  of  ascertaining  the  guilt  of  the  accused. 
They  supposed,  if  they  were  just  hanged  up  by  the  throat 
an  hour  or  so,  and  were  not  choked;  or  were  thrown  into 
a  mill-pond,  with  a  bag  of  stones  tied  to  their  neck,  and 
were  not  drowned,  why  then  they  were  wizards,  or 
witches,  and  ought  to  be  killed.  If  they  did  choke  or 
drown,  why  then  they  must  have  been  innocent,  and  it 
was  a  grievous  pity  they  choked  or  drowned  them.  Thus 
absurdly  reasoned  some  of  the  most  ignorant  and  de- 
luded of  the  people. 

The  times  were  fearful.  Every  man  was  suspicious 
of  his  neighbour,  and  alarmed  for  himself.  Busintss 
was  interrupted ;  people  fled  from  their  dwellings ;  terror 
was  in  every  countenance;  horrible  stories  were  told 
about  ghosts  and  goblins;  of  people  that  rode  upon 
cows  in  the  night-time,  with  their  heads  under  their 
arms ;  and  of  old  women  who  cantered  through  the  air 
upon  broomsticks. 

In  the  evening,  people  hardly  dared  to  go  abroad.  The 


SIR    WILLIAM    PHIPPS.  131 

children  thought  themselves  unsafe  in  the  dark,  and  were 
afraid  to  go  to  bed.  They  said  they  heard  strange  noises, 
and  saw  horrible  eyes  glaring  at  them  in  the  night. 
Without  doubt,  they  had  learned  many  such  stories  of 
the  Indians,  who  had  often  told  them  of  the  tricks  of 
Hobbamocko  and  the  powahs.  So  they  would  sit  around 
the  winter  fire,  by  the  hour,  "repeating  these  ridiculous 
stories,  staring  at  each  other  with  horror,  and  afraid  even 
to  go  to  the  door. 

But  the  excitement  passed  off  after  a  time.  It  seems, 
some  highly  respectable  persons  were  accused,  and  people 
began  to  suspect  that  they  might  be  mistaken.  Mr.  Paris 
and  others  made  public  confessions  of  too  much  haste ; 
and  six,  who  had  said  they  were  guilty  of  witchcraft, 
now  confessed  it  was  only  to  save  their  lives.  After  a 
time,  every  body  became  ashamed  of  having  believed  in 
witchcraft. 


Sir  William  Phipps  returned  from  England,  as  governor 
of  the  province,  in  the  midst  of  this  dreadful  infatuation 
of*the  people.  Whether  he  was  so  much  wiser  than 
other  men  of  his  time,  as  not  to  believe  in  witchcraft,  is 
not  related,  but  he  had  the  good  sense  and  humanity  to 
put  a  stop  to  the  cruel  proceedings  which  have  been 
detailed.  He  consulted  the  ministers  and  chief  men  of 
the  province,  and  disposed  them  to  aid  him  in  disabusing 
the  minds  of  the  people,  and  took  measures  to  prevent 


132  SIR    WILLIAM    PHIPPS. 

all  persecution  of  the  innocent  on  account  of  an  impossi- 
ble crime. 

"  Upon  a  deliberate  view  of  these  things,  his  excellency 
first  reprieved,  then  pardoned  many  of  them  that  had 
been  condemned,"*  and  the  "spirit  of  the  country"  that 
is,  the  opinion  of  all  people,  inclined  them  immediately 
to  acquit,  and  not  to  punish  persons  accused  of  witch- 
craft. It  may  be  presumed,  that  Governor  Phipps,  by 
his  prudence  and  discretion,  did  much  to  enlighten  the 
people,  so  that  they  knew  and  felt  that  they  acted  fool- 
ishly and  with  cruelty  in  this  matter. 

The  next  emergency  in  which  the  energy  of  his  cha- 
racter was  called  forth,  was  in  suppressing  incursions  of 
the  Indians  in  the  "  east  country,"  as  Maine  was  then 
called.  In  this  enterprise  he  succeeded  so  as  to  build  a 
fort  to  prevent  their  advancing  to  the  English  settlements, 
and  so  to  intimidate  them,  that  several  of  their  chiefs 
came  to  the  fort  in  1693,  and  there  made  conditions  of 
peace. 

They  promised  never  more  to  disturb  the  English  set- 
tlers ;  and  that  if  disputes  between  themselves  and  their 
English  neighbours  should  arise,  they  would  lay  the 
matter  before  the  king's  government,  in  order  to  obtain 
redress.  Sir  William  Phipps,  knowing  that  these  poor 
Indians  would  not  be  likely  to  observe  these  conditions, 
without  being  encouraged  to  do  so,  made  them  several 
visits  in  person,  exposing  himself  to  many  hardships  in 
travelling,  by  sea  and  land,  that  he  might  do  them  good. 

*  Mather.  Magnalia.  Book  II. 


SIR    WILLIAM    PHIPPS.  133 

Effectually  to  show  his  benevolence  towards  them,  he 
provided  as  far  as  he  was  able  for  the  welfare  of  their 
souls  and  bodies.  For  the  former,  he  took  with  him  into 
their  country  a  protestant  minister,  whom  he  designed 
should  instruct  them  in  the  Christian  religion,  believing 
that  the  best  way  to  make  them  faithful  friends  and  allies, 
was  to  make  them  good  men. 

The  Indians  had  been  driven  into  the  English  settle- 
ments, as  has  been  related  by  the  French.  The  province 
of  New  Brunswick  was  then  occupied  by  French  settlers, 
and  these  supplied  the  Indians  with  arms  and  ammuni- 
tion, and  sometimes  relieved  their  necessities  by  presents 
of  clothing  and  provisions. 

That  the  Indians  might  be  under  no  temptation  to 
break  their  engagements  with  the  English,  Sir  William 
persuaded  many  of  the  gentlemen  of  Boston  to  subscribe 
for  their  relief,  and  to  send  them  useful  articles,  till  they 
could  be  put  in  a  way  to  carry  on  some  business  for  their 
own  support. 

Mr.  Mather  describes  Sir  William  Phipps  as  being 
constantly  governed  by  the  same  discretion  and  humanity, 
which  he  manifested  in  the  case  of  persecution  for  witch- 
craft, and  in  his  treatment  of  the  Indians.  "  In  his  coun- 
tenance," says  he,  "  might  be  read  the  characters  of  a 
generous  mind."  His  whole  conduct  was  the  reverse 
of  selfishness. 

In  the  course  of  his  business,  he  met  with  many  selfish 
and  injurious  persons.  Upon  these  he  never  revenged  an 
injury,  but  would  sometimes  say,  "  I  shall  let  them  alone; 


134  SIR    WILLIAM    PHIPPS. 

some  time  or  other  they  will  see  the  baseness  of  their 
conduct.  When  they  stand  in  need  of  a  favour  from 
me,  they  will  find  that  I  have  forgotten  their  ill-treat- 
ment."* He  was  frequently  known  to  make  his  words 
good,  in  utter  forgetfulness  of  all  provocation  to  the 
contrary. 


Sir  William  Phipps  was  a  religious  man ;  but  he  be- 
lieved that  "liberty  of  conscience  was  a  right  of  all 
mankind ;"  and  he  highly  disapproved  that  men  should 
be  hindered  in  any  worship,  or  persecuted  for  any 
opinion.  He  did  not  make  any  great  show  of  devotion, 
and  if  he  observed  others  to  make  ostentatious  displays 
of  being  religious,  and  neglecting  justice  and  goodness, 
he  held  such  persons  to  be  bad  examples,  and  disparagers 
of  true,  unaffected  piety. 

He  always  paid  respect  to  good  men  everywhere,  and 
had  no  false  shame  of  his  own  humble  circumstances  in 
early  life.  When  he  first  returned  from  Europe  with  the 
large  property  he  had  acquired,  he  took  an  early  oppor- 
tunity to  invite  all  the  ship-carpenters  in  the  town  to  visit 
him,  to  express  his  regard  for  the  craft  he  had  belonged 
to,  and  to  show  respect  to  his  former  associates. 

Nor  did  he  ever  forget  the  days  of  his  youth.  When 
he  was  leading  the  expedition  to  Quebec,  and  his  vessel 
passed  near  Kennebeck,  he  called  the  young  sailors  and 

*  Mather. 


SIR   WILLIAM    PHIPPS.  135 

soldiers  upon  deck,  and  pointed  out  to  them  his  native 
spot.  "  Young  men,"  said  he,  "  it  was  upon  that  hill  that 
I  kept  sheep  a  few  years  ago.  You  see  that  God  has 
prospered  me  since.  Fear  God ;  be  honest ;  practise  your 
business ;  follow  no  evil  counsels,  nor  evil  courses,  and 
God  will  reward  you  accordingly." 

In  1693,  Sir  William  Phipps  went  to  England  on 
business  of  the  province,  and  died  in  London,  February, 
1694,  of  a  malignant  fever.  His  character  deserves  to 
be  commended  to  young  persons  in  this  country.  His 
energy  and  perseverance ;  his  generosity  and  humility; 
his  liberal  sentiments,  and  prudence  in  action ;  his  tolera- 
tion and  piety,  are  traits,  excellent  in  all  ages  and  coun- 
tries ;  and  when  it  is  considered,  that  he  educated  himself, 
and  acted  with  the  same  propriety  and  dignity  in  every 
station  of  life,  his  example  is  equally  instructive  to  all 
conditions  of  men — the  humble  and  the  high — the  poor 
and  the  rich  alike. 


QUESTIONS. 


Have  the  United  States  of  America  exhibited  shining  examples 
of  virtue  1 — Was  religious  liberty  restrained  in  the  17th  century  2 
— Who  first  emigrated  to  North  America  1 — How  were  the  Ame- 
rican colonies  governed] — What  sort  of  man  was  Sir  Edward 
Andros  1 — Is  the  history  of  Phipps  interesting  % — Who  was  James 
Phipps] 

How  was  W.  Phipps  educated  1 — How  did  Phipps  exhibit  ambi- 
tion?—What  did  Phipps  do  in  Boston? — Did  P.  ever  return  to 


136  SIR    WILLIAM    PHIPPS. 

Maine ! — What  was  the  condition  of  the  settlement  at  Sheepscot 
river1? — What  service  could  P.  render  to  his  friends'? 

What  excited  the  spirit  of  enterprise  in  Phipps'? — How  did  the 
English  at  that  time  treat  the  Spaniards  1 — What  often  happened 
to  Spanish  vessels  1 — Why  did  W.  Phipps  go  to  England  1 — Did 
Phipps  prosper  in  his  undertaking  ? — Was  Phipps  a  man  of  much 
energy  of  character  ] — Did  Phipps  defeat  a  conspiracy  1 

By  what  means  did  Phipps  defeat  his  enemies  1 — On  what  con- 
ditions did  P.  forgive  the  conspirators  1 — How  did  the  conspirators 
act  on  this  occasion'? — How  happened  it  that  Phipps's  men  presumed 
to  seize  a  ship  that  did  not  belong  to  them  1 — What  became  of  these 
seamen,  and  of  Phipps,  afterwards? — Was  Phipps  ever  discouraged  ! 
— What  amount  of  silver  did  Phipps  at  length  recover  from  the 
sea  1 — Did  Phipps  have  the  whole  of  this  treasure  1 — What  mark 
of  distinction  was  betowed  upon  Phipps'? 

Did  Phipps  remain  in  England  1 — Why  did  P.  return  to  England  1 
— Was  Phipps  a  selfish  man  1 — Did  the  French  and  English  colo- 
nists in  America  live  peaceably  1 — What  injuries  did  the  French 
inflict  upon  the  English  1 — What  redress  did  Sir  William  Phipps 
seek  1 

Did  P.'s  expedition  succeed  1 — Did  the  king  of  England  appoint 
P.  governor  of  Massachusetts  1 — Was  this  appointment  acceptable 
to  the  colony ! — Into  what  delusion  did  the  people  of  New  England 
fall  about  the  beginning  of  the  18th  century  ] — What  is  a  supposed 
witch "? — Is  the  belief  of  witchcraft  an  error  1 

What  appeared  to  credulous  persons  to  be  an  effect  of  witch- 
craft'?— What  happened  at  Salem  in  1692? — In  what  manner 
were  children  infatuated  by  the  delusion  of  witchcraft  1 — Was 
this  delusion  confined  to  children? — Were  any  accused  persons 
imprisoned "? — Who  were  hanged  for  this  supposed  crime  1 — Who 
were  exempted  from  hanging  and  drowning? — Was  this  calamity 
of  long  duration  ? 

Did  Phipps  favour  the  punishment  of  witches  7 — What  at  length 
put  a  stop  to  proceedings  against  witches) — Did  Governor  Phipps 
suppress  Indian  incursions  in  Maine  1 — Did  Phipps  treat  the  Indians 
harshly  1 


JOHN    HOWARD.  137 

Did  Phipps  endeavour  to  enlighten  the  Indians ! — Who  incited 
the  Indians  in  Maine  to  injure  the  English) — How  did  Phipps 
endeavour  to  prevent  the  Indians  from  disturbing  their  neighbours  } 
— What  said  Mr.  Mather  of  Phipps  ] — Was  Phipps  of  a  placable 
disposition  ? 

Was  Phipps  a  religious  man? — Had  Phipps  any  false  pride? — 
What  advice  did  he  give  to  young  men  1 — What  traits  of  character 
were  commendable  in  Sir  W.  Phipps  I 


JOHN    HOWARD. 


When  men  live  together  in  society,  it  is  necessary 
that  every  man  should  be  safe — that  he  may  lie  down 
in  security,  with  none  to  molest  or  make  him  afraid — 
that  he  should  be  able  to  keep  what  belongs  to  him — 
his  dwelling,  his  apparel,  and  whatever  he  labours  to 
obtain;  and  especially  that  his  life  should  not  be  in 
danger  from  the  violence  of  others. 

JNow  it  happens  that  there  are  some  men  very  idle, 
ignorant,  and  poor;  and,  rather  than  work  for  a  livelihood, 
such  persons  rob  others.  They  often  fire  their  dwellings, 
break  into  their  warehouses,  take  their  money,  and  other 
valuable  things,  and  sometimes  disable  or  kill  them  to 
obtain  their  property. 

These  last-mentioned  lawless  persons  are  criminals. 


138  JOHN    HOWARD. 

They  are  enemies  of  the  peace  and  order  of  society ;  and 
there  are  laws  made  to  punish  their  crimes,  and  hinder 
others  from  imitating  their  conduct.  The  safest  way  to 
treat  felons  or  criminals  has  been  found  to  be,  to  shut 
them  up  in  jails  or  prisons. 

Besides  the  guilty,  persons  who  are  innocent  of  any 
crime  are  occasionally  put  into  prison ;  sometimes,  be- 
cause they  owe  money  which  they  cannot  pay ;  some- 
times, because  they  are  suspected  of  having  committed 
some  crime;  and  sometimes  because  wicked  people 
accuse  them  of  wrong  actions  they  have  never  done. 

Numbers  of  persons,  in  populous  countries,  for  the 
different  reasons  that  have  been  mentioned,  are  put  into 
prison,  and  are  sometimes  kept  there  without  any  em- 
ployment till  they  become  sick,  and  suffer  a  great  deal 
from  bad  food,  damp  cells,  and  wicked  companions. 
These  prisoners  have  often  no  friends  to  visit  them,  nor 
any  attention  when  they  are  sick,  and  no  person  to 
instruct  or  make  them  better. 

At  the  present  time,  a  great  deal  is  done  to  relieve 
prisoners — to  prevent  the  innocent  from  being  sent  to 
prison;  and  to  comfort  the  afflicted,  and  instruct  the 
ignorant,  who  are  confined  there  for  their  misconduct. 
Christ  pitied  the  prisoner;  he  declares  the  visiter  of 
prisoners  to  be  among  the  blessed  in  the  life  to  come. 
u  I  was  in  prison,  and  ye  came  unto  me,"  &c. — Matthew, 
chap,  xxiii.  verse  36. 

John  Howard,  usually  called  Howard  the  philanthro- 


JOHN    HOWARD.  ldiJ 

pist,  is  well  known  as  the  first  reformer  of  prisons  in 
Europe.  He  heard  of,  and  saw  the  sufferings  of  prisoners, 
and  took  upon  himself  to  entreat  the  magistrates  and 
governors  of  different  countries  to  have  pity  upon  the 
inmates  of  the  cell  and  the  dungeon. 

Mr.  Howard  was  the  son  of  a  respectable  upholsterer 
in  London,  and  was  born  near  that  city  in  1727.  His 
father  was  a  very  good  and  pious  man,  but  he  was  not 
well  instructed  in  learning,  and  therefore  permitted  his 
son  to  be  educated  without  much  care  or  attention  to 
polite  accomplishments. 

Young  Howard's  religious  principles,  however,  were 
never  neglected :  he  was  taught  the  best  knowledge — 
that  of  right  and  wrong.  He  was  taught  especially  to 
venerate  God  and  religion,  and  to  feel  compassion  for 
the  unfortunate ;  and,  during  his  whole  life,  he  attended 
public  worship,  and  showed  the  tenderest  concern  for 
the  afflicted. 

Mr.  Howard's  father  left  him  a  handsome  fortune.  In 
1758,  he  married  Miss  Harriet  Leeds,  a  lady  who  re- 
sembled her  husband  in  her  kind  disposition ;  and  who, 
during  the  few  years  that  she  was  Mr.  Howard's  wife, 
assisted  him,  and  sympathised  with  him  in  all  his  be- 
nevolent enterprises. 

Mr.  Howard  had  an  extensive  estate  at  a  place  called 
Cardington,  upon  which  he  resided.  The  English  country 
gentlemen  generally  possess  more  land,  and  larger 
incomes  than  American  gentlemen ;  and  their  lands  are 
cultivated  by  labourers,  who  live  in  little  cottages  built 


140  JOHN    HOWARD. 

upon  them.  These  cultivators  of  gentlemen's  property 
are  the  tenants  of  the  proprietor,  and  form  what  is  called 
the  'peasantry  of  the  country. 

Dr.  Aikin,  the  excellent  author  of  Evenings  at  Home, 
wrote  an  interesting  life  of  Mr.  Howard,  and  described 
the  humane  manner  in  which  he  treated  his  tenants.  In 
England,  labourers'  wages  are  lower  than  they  are  in 
this  country ;  and  the  poor  would  often  suffer  want,  were 
it  not  for  the  humanity  of  the  gentlemen  who  reside  upon 
their  estates. 

Mr.  Howard  was  distinguished  for  the  care  he  took 
for  the  comfort  and  improvement  of  his  tenantry ;  and 
they  all  loved  him  exceedingly  for  his  benevolence  to- 
wards them.  He  urged  the  poor  particularly  to  save 
whatever  they  could ;  that  when  they  became  old,  they 
might  not  spend  their  last  days  in  an  alms-house,  but  in 
their  own  comfortable  cottages. 

Mr.  Howard  paid  great  attention  to  children.  He 
established  schools  for  both  sexes.  The  girls  on  his 
estate  were  taught  reading  and  sewing,  and  the  boys 
writing  and  arithmetic.  He  urged  upon  them  both  the 
duties  of  religion:  nor  did  he  limit  his  kindness  to 
those  about  him ;  for  he  gave  to  all,  whose  necessities 
he  knew,  as  much  as  he  could  spare,  and  he  contrived  to 
make  his  wants  few  that  others  might  share  largely  of 
his  property. 

It  seemed  to  be  the  first  object  of  his  ambition,  that 
the  poor  in  his  village  should  be  the  most  regular  in 
their  conduct,  and  the  neatest  in  their  persons  and  houses 


JOHN    HOWARD.  141 

of  any  in  England.  To  promote  their  comfort,  he  built 
a  number  of  new  cottages  upon  his  estate,  and  annexed 
to  each  a  pretty  garden,  which  the  tenant  might  culti- 
vate, and  adorn  with  flowers  as  he  liked. 

Mrs.  Howard  never  would  be  outdone  by  her  husband 
in  his  generosity  to  the  poor.  Once,  at  the  end  of  the 
year,  a  considerable  sum  of  money  remained  in  his 
hands  after  he  had  settled  all  his  accounts;  and  Mr. 
Howard  proposed  to  his  wife  to  spend  it  as  she  chose — 
in  a  journey  to  London,  or  for  any  other  gratification. 
"  What  a  pretty  cottage  it  would  build,"  was  her  answer; 
and  the  money  was  so  employed. 

Mr.  Howard  was  remarkable  for  order  in  all  his 
transactions.  His  taste  in  dress,  in  carriages,  and  in 
furniture,  was  turned  to  simplicity  and  neatness.  He 
was  an  admirer  of  the  Quakers:  their  habits  and  tastes 
pleased  him  exceedingly,  and  among  them  he  had  many 
friends.  In  1765,  he  lost  his  beloved  wife;  and,  from 
the  time  of  her  death,  his  mind  was  disposed  to  doing 
good  upon  a  larger  scale  than  before. 

In  1773,  Mr.  Howard  was  made  sheriff  of  the  county 
of  Bedford,  in  which  he  lived.  This  officer  is  concerned 
with  prisoners  and  criminals ;  and  he  had  now  an  oppor- 
tunity to  learn  in  what  manner  they  were  treated.  He 
well  knew  that  when  a  man  has  done  wrong,  it  is  no 
reason  that  others  should  do  wrong  to  him,  but  rather 
endeavour  to  serve  and  amend  him ;  and  he  wished  that 
imprisonment  should  not  deprave  and  degrade  him. 


142  JOHN    HOWARD. 

Mr.  Howard  visited  almost  all  the  prisons  in  England, 
and  saw  a  great  deal  of  vice  and  misery  in  them ;  and, 
that  he  might  be  enabled  to  judge  the  better  concerning 
the  prisons  in  England,  he  visited  those  of  France,  Hol- 
land, Germany,  Flanders,  Switzerland,  Scotland,  and 
Ireland.  The  information  which  he  thus  gained  he 
published  in  a  large  volume,  which  turned  the  attention 
of  many  benevolent  persons  to  the  relief  of  prisoners, 
and  to  an  alteration  of  the  laws  in  their  behalf. 

This  great  enterprise  cost  Mr.  Howard  immense  la- 
bour and  fatigue;  and,  moreover,  a  large  amount  of 
money :  but  he  counted  no  exertion  nor  expense  too 
much  to  assuage  the  misery  of  his  fellow-beings. 

In  Mr.  Howard's  work  on  prisons,  he  showed  that 
those  of  England  were  deficient  in  the  articles  of  food, 
water,  bedding,  and  fresh  air ;  and  that  no  means  were 
taken  to  improve  the  morals  of  the  prisoners. 

He  urged  the  necessity  of  providing  for  prisoners 
better  places  of  confinement — better  officers  to  govern 
the  prisons — and  moral  instruction  for  the  prisoners 
generally ;  useful  employment  for  the  idle,  and  care  for 
the  health  of  all.  Under  the  head  of  prisoners,  jailers, 
chaplain,  and  physician,  all  these  improvements  were 
suggested. 

He  regarded  all  men  as  the  children  of  one  Father : 
he  thought  that  the  greatest  criminals  deserve  compas- 
sion. In  particular,  he  conceived  that  the  innocent  and 
the  unfortunate  ought  to  be  comforted.  Till  his  time, 
the  English  people  seem  never  to  have  thought  that  the 


JOHN    HOWARD.  143 

sighing  of  the  prisoners  deserved  any  regard,  but  that 
they  ought  to  suffer  all  that  might  be  inflicted  upon 
them. 

The  House  of  Commons,  or  the  legislature  of  Eng- 
land, received  these  remonstrances  favourably,  and 
formed  designs  for  the  erection  of  new  houses  of  cor- 
rection, upon  the  plan  of  those  of  Holland ;  which  Mr. 
Howard  admired  more  than  any  other,  for  the  neatness, 
order,  and  humanity  that  prevailed  in  them. 

Mr.  Howard  made  a  survey  of  the  prisons  of  the 
different  countries  already  mentioned  several  times — 
travelled  also  into  Denmark,  Sweden,  Russia,  Poland, 
and  Germany,  besides  Italy,  Spain,  and  Portugal ;  and 
visited  the  prisons  of  England  and  Ireland  frequently. 


Schools  and  hospitals  were  among  the  objects  Mr. 
Howard  thought  proper  to  explore,  in  order  to  learn 
whether  any  improvements,  for  the  benefit  of  the  young, 
or  the  relief  of  the  sick,  might  be  necessary  in  either. 

In  prisons,  a  dreadful  disease,  called  the  jail-fever, 
prevailed,  owing  to  the  neglect  of  cleanliness,  and  the 
want  of  comforts.  Mr.  Howard,  in  hopes  to  learn  some 
method  of  preventing  or  curing  this  disease,  often  ven- 
tured into  the  dungeons  of  the  sick  and  the  dying, 
choosing  rather  to  expose  his  own  life,  than  to  refrain 
from  this  generous  service  to  the  miserable. 

In  England,  and  perhaps,  in  all  countries  which  he 
visited,  Mr.  Howard  found   many  persons   whom   he 


144  JOHN    HOWARD. 

urged  to  engage  in  the  relief  of  the  prisoner,  too  much 
engaged  in  other  matters — many  in  building  splendid 
houses,  or  in  laying  out  streets,  or  in  ornamenting  the 
public  buildings ;  but  it  seemed  to  him,  that  justice  to 
the  injured,  and  charity  to  the  suffering,  was  a  higher 
public  duty ;  and  he  did  not  fear  to  say  that  he  thought 
so. 

The  adorning  of  houses,  and  even  the  pursuit  of 
amusements,  in  themselves  not  wrong,  become  wrong 
when  they  employ  all  the  thoughts  of  any  person ;  par- 
ticularly when  the  habits  of  delicacy  and  refinement 
make  the  sight  and  the  service  of  misery  disgusting  to 
the  prosperous,  and  cause  them  to  shut  their  hearts 
against  the  poor  and  distressed. 

"  from  the  plaint  of  want,  the  wail  of  woe, 

Oh !  never,  never,  turn  away  thine  ear." 

In  1788,  Mr.  Howard  resolved  upon  a  second  visit  to 
Russia ;  and  upon  extending  his  travels  to  European 
Turkey,  and  beyond  to  the  Turkish  dominions  in  Asia ; 
and  to  return  to  England  by  way  of  Egypt  and  the 
Barbary  coast.  He  had  not  yet  accomplished  all  the 
good  that  he  believed  Providence  had  laid  out  for  him 
to  do. 

Setting  out  for  this,  which  proved  to  be  his  last 
journey,  he  took  a  pathetic  farewell  of  one  of  his  most 
valued  friends,  Dr.  Richard  Price.  This  gentleman,  a 
dissenting  minister,  near  London,  was  also  an  eminent 
philanthropist  and  Christian.  Dr.  Price  was  a  very  aged 


JOHN    HOWARD.  145 

man,  and  Mr.  Howard  was  about  to  expose  himself  to 
untried  dangers,  so  that  the  two  friends  never  expected 
to  meet  more  in  this  world.  But  they  looked  beyond 
the  present  life,  and  parted,  trusting  to  meet  beyond 
the  grave. 

In  1789,  Mr.  Howard  wrote  a  letter  to  Dr.  Price, 
from  which  the  following  is  extracted : — "  When  I  left 
England,  I  first  stopped  at  Amsterdam,  and  proceeded 
to  Hanover,  Brunswick,  and  Berlin ;  thence  to  Konigs- 
berg,  Riga,  and  Petersburg.  In  all  these  places,  I  visited 
the  prisons  and  hospitals,  which  were  all  flung  open  to 
me ;  and  in  some,  the  magistrates  accompanied  me  into 
the  dungeons,  as  well  as  other  places  of  confinement. 

"  I  arrived  a  few  days  ago  (September,  1789),  in 
Moscow,  and  have  begun  my  rounds.  The  hospitals 
are  in  a  sad  state.  Upwards  of  seventy  thousand  sailors 
and  recruits  died  in  them  last  year.  I  labour  to  convey 
the  torch  of  philanthropy  into  these  distant  regions.     I 

am  quite  well. My  medical  acquaintance  give  me 

little  hope  of  escaping  the  plague  in  Turkey.  I  do  not 
look  back ;  but  would  readily  endure  any  hardships,  and 
encounter  any  dangers,  to  be  an  honour  to  my  Christian 
profession." 

From  Moscow,  Mr.  Howard  took  his  course  to  the 
very  extremity  of  European  Russia.  There,  in  the  city 
of  Cherson,  1500  miles  from  his  native  land,  he  fell  a 
victim,  it  is  said,  to  a  disease  taken  from  one  whom  he 
had  visited  in  his  course  of  universal  benevolence. 

10 


146  JOHN    HOWARD. 

In  the  winter  of  1789-90,  Cherson  was  visited  by  a 
large  number  of  Russian  officers  belonging  to  the  army, 
and  the  inhabitants  of  the  place  made  them  welcome  in 
every  mode  of  amusement — balls,  concerts,  and  parties 
of  pleasure,  were  made  everywhere  for  their  entertain- 
ment. These  festivities,  however,  were  soon  turned 
into  mourning ;  for,  among  the  gay  crowds  that  resorted 
to  them,  a  most  fatal  fever  broke  out,  and  carried  off 
large  numbers. 

Among  those  who  took  the  fever,  was  a  young  lady 
who  lived  at  a  short  distance  from  Cherson.  When  she 
had  been  ill  a  few  days,  Mr.  Howard  was  earnestly 
requested  to  visit  her,  and  he  first  saw  her  Sunday, 
December  27th,  and  for  several  days  ensuing,  till  she 
died.  He  had  flattered  himself  that  she  might  recover, 
and  was  much  affected  by  her  death. 

On  the  8th  of  January,  1790,  Mr.  Howard  went  out 
for  the  last  time.  He  dined  with  Admiral  MontgwinofF, 
on  that  day,  and  returned  to  his  lodgings  much  disor- 
dered. His  servant  gave  information  of  his  illness  to 
the  most  distinguished  persons  in  Cherson,  and  he  had 
the  best  medical  attendance ;  but  he  died  on  the  20th  of 
the  month. 

He  believed  that  he  took  a  fever,  of  the  young  lady 
he  had  recently  visited ;  but  that  is  doubtful.  Some  of 
his  friends  believe  that  the  gout,  to  which  he  was  sub- 
ject, was  the  cause  of  his  death.  Mr.  Howard  regarded 
death  with  perfect  tranquillity,  and  he  often  said  that  he 


JOHN    HOWARD.  147 

had  no  other  wish  for  life  than  as  it  gave  him  opportuni- 
ties to  benefit  his  fellow-creatures. 

He  was  buried,  at  his  own  request,  about  eight  miles 
from  Cherson,  where  a  monument  was  erected  over  his 
grave.  When  speaking  of  this  foreign  grave,  he  said, 
he  should  be  as  near  heaven  there  as  if  he  were  laid  in 
England. 


Mr.  Howard's  actions  furnish  the  best  account  of 
his  character.  Love  to  God,  expressed  by  acts  of  love 
to  man,  was  the  great  principle  of  his  conduct.  A  pious 
and  benevolent  heart  distinguished  him  eminently.  To 
do  every  thing  in  the  best  possible  manner,  and  at  the 
right  time,  was  his  rule ;  and  he  was  anxious  always  to 
learn  this  method  of  right  action :  therefore,  he  was  ever 
ready  to  listen  to  the  advice  or  suggestions  of  others 
better  informed  than  himself. 

In  whatever  he  pursued,  he  was  indefatigable ;  and, 
being  open  to  all  the  information  that  was  offered  him 
by  wise  and  enlightened  persons,  he  had  the  advantages 
of  their  wisdom  added  to  his  own.  He  had  no  bodily 
infirmity  which  interrupted  his  activity,  and  he  pre- 
served his  health  by  means  of  the  strictest  temperance 
in  eating  and  drinking. 

Thus  he  found  his  wants  supplied  in  almost  every 
place  where  man  existed ;  and  was  as  well  provided  in 
the  posadas  of  Spain,  and  the  caravanseras  of  Turkey, 
as  in  the  hotels  of  France  and  England.     Water  was 


148  JOHtf    HOWARD. 

one  of  his  principal  necessaries.  He  considered  bathing 
as  an  important  means  of  health;  and  was  extremely- 
clean  in  his  person. 

His  manners  were  mild  and  gentle,  but  full  of  dignity; 
and,  so  much  respect  did  he  command,  that  he  related, 
that  in  all  his  visitation  of  prisons,  he  never  met  with  a 
single  insult  from  the  prisoners.  Disinterestedness  was 
the  grand  trait  of  his  character.  By  disinterestedness — 
benevolence  that  makes  a  man  deny  himself  for  the  benefit 
of  others,  is  implied. 

Notwithstanding  .  Mr.  Howard's  eminent  services  to 
mankind,  his  modesty  inclined  him  to  shun  all  praise  on 
that  account.  During  his  life,  while  he  was  on  the  con- 
tinent of  Europe,  some  of  his  friends  proposed  to  erect 
a  statue  of  him  in  a  public  place,  as  a  distinguished 
benefactor  of  mankind ;  but  he  earnestly  entreated  that 
this  intended  honour  might  not  be  paid  to  him. 

When  Mr.  Howard  was  no  more,  a  statue  of  him  was 
placed  in  St.  Paul's  Church,  in  London;  and  he  was 
surely  more  deserving  of  such  celebration,  than  military 
heroes  who  have  slain  thousands  of  their  fellow-men. 
He  was  infinitely  more  a  hero  than  they. 

Heroism  consists  of  the  braving  of  danger  for  the  sake 
of  achieving  some  great  action — of  rendering  some  im- 
portant service  to  mankind.  Mr.  Howard's  "  wThole  life 
almost  was  heroism :  for  he  confronted  all  sorts  of  dan- 
gers, with  the  sole  view  of  relieving  the  miseries  of  his 
fellow-creatures.     Such  was  Howard  the  Good ;  as  great 


JOHN    HOWARD.  149 

a  hero,  in  preserving  mankind,  as  some  of  the  false 
heroes  above  mentioned  were  in  destroying  them." 

Mr.  Howard's  piety,  generosity,  perseverance,  courage, 
modesty,  and  temperance,  were  all  necessarv  to  qualify 
him  for  his  great  work.  As  a  reformer  of  prisons,  he 
was  the  first,  as  has  been  mentioned,  but  by  no  means 
the  last.  Those  dismal  abodes  still  continue  to  be  neces- 
sary, that  the  innocent  may  not  suffer  from  the  lawless 
depredations  of  the  ignorant  and  the  unprincipled ;  but 
many  of  the  abuses  once  known  in  them  are  now  me- 
liorated, through  the  labours  of  the  benevolent. 

Since  the  death  of  Mr.  Howard,  Mr.  Roscoe,  of  Liver- 
pool, and  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Fry,  an  English  Quaker  lady, 
have  done  much  to  assuage  the  misery  of  prisons.  Mr. 
Roscoe,  by.  his  writings,  and  Mrs.  Fry,  by  her  visits  and 
admonitions  to  prisoners,  and  by  the  influence  she  has 
exerted  over  the  governors  and  officers  of  penitentiaries, 
and  other  houses  of  correction. 

These  persons  are  the  true  followers  of  him  who  went 
about  doing  good,  and  of  that  Samaritan  who  adminis- 
tered oil  and  wine  to  the  stranger's  necessities.  Few 
persons  have  the  'leisure  and  the  wrealth  which  Mr. 
Howard  could  command ;  few,  like  Mr.  Roscoe,  have 
the  understanding  and  knowledge  to  commend  convinc- 
ingly the  melioration  of  prison  discipline  to  legislators 
and  rulers.;  few  females,  like  Mrs.  Fry,  could  combine 
the  energy  of  Howard,  with  the  intelligence  of  Roscoe, 
to  give  effect  to  Christian  benevolence;  but,  without 
money,  without  learning,  and  without  capacity  to  render 


150  JOHN    HOWARD. 

great  services  to  society,  every  man  and  woman,  and 
every  young  person,  may  possess  the  disposition,  and 
cultivate  the  virtues,  which  enabled  these  excellent  per- 
sons to  become  the  examples  and  benefactors  of  their 


QUESTIONS. 


What  is  necessary  to  the  preservation  of  society  1 — Who  disturb 
tjie  security  of  society  1 — How  are  criminals  to  be  treated  ? — Are 
any  persons  but  criminals  put  into  prison] — Do  prisoners  often 
suffer  extremely  ? — Who  pities  the  prisoner  ? 

Who  was  John  Howard  ? — What  was  Mr.  Howard's  education  2 
— What  were  H.'s  religious  principles? — Who  was  Mr.  H.'s  wife? 
— Who  cultivate  the  lands  in  England  ? — What  is  the  condition  of 
the  English  peasantry  1 — How  did  Howard  treat  his  tenants  ? 

Did  Mr.  Howard  establish  schools? — Did  Mr.  H.  regard  the 
comfort  of  his  tenants  and  neighbours  ? — Did  Mrs.  H.  resemble  her 
husband  ? — What  were  Mr.  H.'s  personal  habits  ? — What  were  Mr. 
H.'s  notions  of  the  uses  of  penal  law  ? 

In  what  countries  did  Mr.  Howard  visit  prisons? — What  did  Mr. 
H.  show  to  be  the  defects  of  prisons  ? — What  improvements  in 
prisons  did  Mr.  H.  suggest  ? — Why  did  M\.  H.  pity  the  prisoner  1 
— How  were  Mr.  H.'s  representations  of  prisons  regarded  ? — Did 
Mr.  H.  persevere  in  visiting  prisons  ? 

Did  Mr.  H.  wish  to  reform  schools  and  hospitals  ? — What  pre- 
vented people  from  entering  readily  into  H.'s  plans? — Is  indiffer- 
ence to  public  enterprises  commendable? — What  enterprise  did 
Mr.  H.  undertake  in  1788? — Who  was  Mr.  H.'s  most  intimate 
friend,  &c.  ? 

How  did  Mr.  H.  describe  his  last  journey  ? — What  saw  Mr.  H. 
at  Moscow  ? — Where  did  Mr.  H.  die  ? — What  happened  at  Cher- 


WILLIAM    ROSCOE.  151 

son  in  1789,  &c.  ?— Whose  illness  and  death  afflicted  Mr.  H.  1— 
Where  did  Mr.  H.  die  1 

How  did  H.  regard  death  1 — Where  was  H.  buried  ? — What  ex- 
hibits Mr.  H.'s  character  I — Was  he  persevering  and  temperate  1 — 
Could  Mr.  H.  accommodate  himself  to  his  circumstances  1 — Did 
Mr.  H.  command  respect,  &c.  1 — Was  Mr.  H.  eminently  modest  1 

Where  is  there  a  statue  of  Howard  1 — Did  Mr.  H.  exhibit  true 
heroism  1 — Was  Mr.  H.  the  last  reformer  of  prisons  1 — What  have 
been  the  services  of  Mrs.  Fry  and  Mr.  Roscoe  ? — Can  any  person 
assuage  human  misery  ? 


WILLIAM   ROSCOE. 


One  of  the  best  men  in  modern  times,  was  Mr.  Ros- 
coe, of  Liverpool.  The  world  is  chiefly  indebted  to  his 
own  exertions,  for  his  great  usefulness  and  noble  example. 
It  has  been  said  that  every  person  receives  two  educa- 
tions— that  which  others  give  him,  and  that  which  he 
gives  himself.  The  education  which  a  man  gives  himself, 
is  the  pains,  the  patience,  and  the  industry  with  which 
he  receives  instruction  that  is  given  to  him,  or  with  which 
he  seeks  knowledge,  when  he  has  no  professed  tutors  to 
offer  it,  or  to  urge  it  upon  him. 

Mr.  Roscoe  is  not  only  remarkable  for  the  wisdom  and 
knowledge  that  he  gained  by  self-education,  but  for  the 
services  that  his  wisdom  and  knowledge  rendered  to  his 


152  WILLIAM    ROSCOE. 

fellow-men.  It  is  on  account  of  these  services  to  society 
that  his  example  is  recorded  here ;  for,  as  long  as  his 
name  shall  endure,  it  will  speak  of,  and  teach  excellent 
things. 

Mr.  Roscoe's  father  kept  a  small  public  house  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  Liverpool,  and  united  to  this  business 
the  cultivation  of  an  extensive  market-garden.  He  lived 
to  old  age,  and  when  past  labour,  was  cheerfully  sup- 
ported by  his  only  son.  Mrs.  Roscoe,  the  mother,  died 
before  the  family  stood  in  need  of  assistance  from  him. 

She  was  an  affectionate  parent,  and  took  great  pains 
to  cultivate  her  son's  mind.  While  yet  very  young,  he 
was  sensible  of  her  great  goodness,  and  looked  forward 
to  the  day  when  she  should  be  old  and  infirm,  and  he 
should  have  the  satisfaction  to  support  her  declining  age. 
This  satisfaction  was  not  granted  to  him,  and  he  lament- 
ed her  premature  death  in  some  affecting  verses,  from 
which  the  following  lines  are  taken : 

"  No  more  I  see,  in  distant  view, 

The  best  of  mothers ;  when  by  age  oppressed, 
Beneath  my  roof  retired — my  care  to  tend 
Her  sinking  frame,  to  raise  her  drooping  heart, 
With  converse  sweet; — or,  if  deprived  of  sight — 
To  lead  her  where  the  opening  roses  shed 
Ambrosial  odours  round ;  and  vernal  gales 
Breathe  gently  o'er  the  field." 

When  William  Roscoe  was  a  boy,  he  had  a  kind 
school-mistress,  and  afterwards  a  sensible  school-master. 


WILLIAM    ROSCOE.  153 

Mr.  Martin,  his  school-master,  had  a  small  library  of 
good  books,  and  these  he  would  sometimes  lend  to  the 
boys.  This  gratification  inspired  in  their  minds  the  love 
of  reading — the  best  and  safest  recreation  that  boy  or 
man  can  indulge  in — and  William  Roscoe  enjoyed  and 
improved  this  privilege. 

But  to  his  mother's  carefulness  in  his  education,  chiefly, 
Mr.  Roscoe  ascribes  the  pleasure  he  took  in  reading,  and 
all  the  advantages  that  he  derived  from  it.  "  To  the  care 
and  the  instructions  of  a  kind  and  affectionate  mother," 
says  he,  "  I  believe  I  may  safely  attribute  any  good  prin- 
ciples which  have  appeared  in  my  conduct  during  my 
future  life.  It  is  to  her  I  owe  the  inculcation  of  those 
sentiments  of  humanity,  w7hich  became  a  principle  of 
my  mind.  Nor  did  she  neglect  to  supply  me  with  such 
books  as  she  thought  would  contribute  to  my  literary 
improvement." 

From  these  books  he  derived  the  principal  information 
obtained  in  his  early  life.  At  twelve  years  of  age  he  was 
taken  from  school  to  assist  his  father  in  the  garden,  and 
to  carry  vegetables  to  market  for  sale.  At  school  he 
had  learned  nothing  besides  reading  and  writing,  arith- 
metic, the  elements  of  algebra,  and  a  little  English 
grammar. 

Upon  this  small  foundation  of  the  first,  the  given  edu- 
cation, did  young  Roscoe  lay  the  foundation  of  that  self- 
education,  which  in  his  future  life  formed  one  of  the  most 
enlightened  and  accomplished  men  in  Europe.  How 
entirely  free  he  was  from  all  false  pride,  and  how  cheer- 


154  WILLIAM    ROSCOE. 

fully  he,  "  the  humblest  duties  on  himself  did  lay,"  ap- 
pears in  the  account  which  he  has  given  of  those  early 
days. 

"  Having  quitted  school,"  he  says,  "  and  committed 
my  English  grammar  to  the  flames,  I  now  began  to 
assist  my  father  in  his  agricultural  concerns,  particularly 
in  his  business  of  cultivating  potatoes  for  sale,  of  which 
he  every  year  grew  several  acres,  and  which  he  sold, 
when  produced  early  in  the  season,  at  very  advanced 
prices. 

"When  they  had  attained  their  proper  growth,  we 
were  accustomed  to  carry  them  to  market  on  our  heads, 
in  large  baskets,  where  I  was  generally  entrusted  with 
the  disposal  of  them,  and  soon  became  a  very  useful 
assistant  to  my  father.  In  this  and  other  laborious  occu- 
pations, particularly  in  the  care  of  a  garden,  in  which  I 
took  great  pleasure,  I  passed  several  years  of  my  life, 
devoting  my  hours  of  relaxation  to  reading  my  books. 

"  This  mode  of  life  gave  health  and  vigour  to  my 
body,  and  amusement  and  instruction  to  my  mind;  and 
to  this  day  I  well  remember  the  delicious  sleep  which 
succeeded  my  labours,  from  which  I  was  again  called 
at  an  early  hour.  If  I  were  now  asked  whom  I  consider 
the  happiest  of  the  human  race,  I  should  answer,  those 
who  cultivate  the  earth  by  their  own  hands." 

It  appears,  that  William  Roscoe,  at  the  time  that  he 
was  practising  agriculture,  was  acquiring  some  know- 
ledge of  the  fine  arts,  and  of  others  more  common  and 
manual.     Adjoining  his  father's  property  was  a  china 


WILLIAM    ROSCOE.  155 

manufactory,  and  he  learned  with  tolerable  expertness  to 
assist  the  painters  of  the  china  in  embellishing  their 
ware.  He  also  found,  in  a  copper-plate  engraver,  a 
friend  who  assisted  him  in  judging  of  pictures,  of  which 
he  was  then  fond,  and  of  which  he  afterward  became  a 
good  critic,  and  a  considerable  collector. 

Becoming  a  tolerable  joiner,  he  made  himself,  before 
he  was  fifteen,  a  book-case  with  folding  doors,  which 
served  him  for  many  years,  and  in  which  he  placed  his 
volumes  of  the  Spectator  and  of  Shakspeare.  Several 
of  the  historical  plays  of  the  latter  he  committed  to 
memory;  furnishing  his  mind  daily,  without  task  or 
authority  of  others,  with  the  most  beautiful  sentiments 
and  language  that  English  literature  contains. 

Of  this  time  of  his  life  he  relates  an  instance  of  his 
own  tenderness  of  heart,  which  resembles  the  benevolent 
disposition  of  Sir  Matthew  Hale  towards  the  lower 
animals.  "  On  one  occasion,"  says  Mr.  Roscoe's  narra- 
tive of  his  early  days,  "  I  determined  to  become  a  sports- 
man ;  and  having  procured  a  gun,  and  found  an  unfor- 
tunate thrush  perched  on  the  branch  of  a  tree,  I  brought 
him  to  the  ground  with  fatal  aim ;  but  I  was  so  affected 
with  the  agonies  I  saw  him  endure  in  death,  that  I  have 
never  since  repeated  the  experiment." 


In  his  fifteenth  year,  young  Roscoe  was  placed  with 
an  attorney  in  Liverpool  for  six  years ;  and  in  this  situa- 
tion, not  slothful  in  business,  he  served  his  employers 


156  WILLIAM    ROSCOE. 

diligently,  and  carried  on  the  work  of  self-cultivation, 
making  duty  first,  and  pleasure  afterwards,  the  rule  of 
his  studies,  as  well  as  of  his  actions. 

His  beloved  mother  was  no  more ;  but  his  father  and 
sister  were  likely  to  stand  in  need  of  aid,  and  his  affec- 
tion for  them  disposed  him  to  make  every  exertion  to 
obtain  independence,  that  they  might  be  assisted.  He 
knew,  that  strict  attention  to  business,  and  a  character 
for  ability  and  faithfulness,  were  the  direct  road  to  the 
confidence  of  society,  and  to  success  in  whatever  he 
should  undertake.  . 

His  taste  in  literature,  and  his  excellent  disposition  and 
principles,  commended  young  Roscoe  to  friends  of  the 
same  turn  of  mind.  To  one  of  these,  Francis  Holden, 
he  was  particularly  indebted.  Francis  Holden  was  ever 
regarded  by  Mr.  Roscoe  as  one  of  the  most  accomplish- 
ed persons  he  had  known,  though  he  has  given  no  very 
exact  account  of  him. 

According  to  a  few  notices  left  of  this  gentleman,  he 
was  remarkable  for  the  beauty  of  his  person ;  for  un- 
common strength  and  agility;  and  for  great  proficiency 
in  mathematics,  and  in  ancient  and  modern  literature ; 
and  to  the  extraordinary  endowments  which  he  possess- 
ed, he  added  such  a  cheerful  vivacity,  and  such  unas- 
suming modesty,  as  gave  a  peculiar  charm  to  his  talents 
and  accomplishments,  without  producing  in  others  any 
sense  of  inferiority. 

In  their  evening  walks,  Holden  was  accustomed  to 
recite  to  his  friend  passages  from  the  Italian  poets,  and 


WILLIAM   ROSCOE.  157 

so  delighted  was  the  latter  with  these  verses,  that  he  set 
about  studying  Italian,  and  became  in  the  end  intimately 
acquainted  with  Italian  literature.  Francis  Holden  died 
in  early  life,  but  Mr.  Roscoe  always  respected  him  as 
one  of  the  best  benefactors  of  his  mind. 

Mr.  Roscoe  had  some  talent  for  poetry ;  but  besides 
his  professional  studies,  and  others  for  the  mere  orna- 
ment of  his  mind,  Christian  truth  became  a  very  interest- 
ing object  of  pursuit  to  him  early  in  life.  He  did  not 
merely  attend  church,  and  take  a  few  lessons  from  a 
catechism,  but  the  wTord  of  God  engaged  his  attention, 
as  the  most  certain  source  of  knowledge  and  of  hap- 
piness. 

"  An  early  and  careful  perusal  of  the  sacred  writings, 
had  led  him  to  reflect  much  upon  subjects  which  do  not 
usually  engage  the  attention  of  the  young,  and  gave  a 
tone  to  his  character,  which  was  observable  through  the 
whole  course  of  his  after  life,"  says  his  son.  "  Among 
his  youthful  writings,  is  a  small  volume,  to  which  he  gave 
the  title  of  '  Christian  Morality,  as  contained  in  the  pre- 
cepts of  the  New  Testament,  in  the  language  of  Jesus 
Christ.' " 

This  was  the  attempt  of  a  very  young  man,  to  extract 
from  the  New  Testament  a  complete  rule  of  conduct. 
The  work  was  divided  into  three  parts :  Duty  to  God ; 
Duty  to  our  Fellow-Creatures ;  and  Duty  to  Ourselves. 
"  It  was  his  persuasion,"  he  observes,  "  that  the  Christian 
religion  was  designed  by  the  Almighty  to  promote  the 
eternal  happiness  of  mankind,  by  the  truest  pursuit  of 


158  WILLIAM    ROSCOE. 

their  temporal  welfare ;  to  instruct  them  in  the  practice 
of  virtue,  and  to  urge  them  actively  to  pursue  that  course 
of  conduct  which  alone  can  render  them  finally  happy." 

Accordingly,  Christ  says,  "  whosoever  heareth  these 
sayings  of  mine,  and  doeth  them,  I  will  liken  him  unto  a 
wise  man,  which  built  his  house  upon  a  rock,"  &c. 
"  And  every  one  that  heareth  these  sayings  of  mine,  and 
doeth  them  not,  shall  be  likened  unto  a  foolish  man,  which 
built  his  house  upon  the  sand,"  &c.  To  the  fool  it  hap- 
peneth  "  according  to  his  folly ;"  but  the  inheritance  of 
the  wise  is  true  "  riches,  and  honour ;"  and  his  "  way  is 
pleasant,"  and  his  path  "  peace." 

Mr.  Roscoe  received  this  truth  into  his  mind  through 
the  reading  of  the  Scriptures ;  and  the  laws  of  conduct 
which  he  found  there,  being  adopted  for  the  rule  of  his 
life,  during  more  than  three-score  years,  were  "  a  guide 
to  his  feet,  and  a  lamp  to  his  path,"  which  preserved  him 
from  every  evil  and  false  way,  and  made  him  an  honour 
and  blessing  to  the  age  in  which  he  lived. 

From  the  practice  of  looking  to  the  Scriptures  them- 
selves for  instruction ;  of  inquiring  earnestly  what  con- 
duct the  teaching  of  Christ  enjoins;  of  examining  whether 
instruction  given  to  us  by  others,  resembles  that  given  by 
the  great  teacher  himself — the  true  rules  of  duty  will  be 
learned  ;  and  thus  only  can  we  be  satisfied  that  we  are 
truly  instructed  in  them. 


In  1774,  Mr.  Roscoe  was  admitted  to  the  practice  of 
the  law,  and  continued  the  same  diligence  in  business 


WILLIAM    ROSCOE.  159 

and  in  study,  which  was  the  habit  of  his  youth.  He 
soon  fixed  his  affections  upon  Miss  Jane  Griffies,  an 
amiable  and  sensible  lady,  whom  he  afterwards  married. 
Miss  Griffies  was  as  much  a  pattern  to  her  own  sex,  as 
Mr.  Roscoe  for  the  other. 

Like  Mr.  Roscoe,  she  cultivated  and  enjoyed  literature; 
and  like  him,  she  was  rational  and  domestic  in  her  tastes. 
She  could  not  have  been  a  suitable  companion  to  him,  if 
she  had  been  inordinately  fond  of  money,  of  show,  or  of 
frivolous  pleasure.  A  woman  is  estimable  for  the  very 
moral  qualities  which  dignify  and  adorn  the  character 
of  man ;  and  commends  herself  to  a  good  man,  chiefly 
by  her  virtues  and  her  sentiments. 

This  excellent  couple  did  not  commit  the  imprudence 
of  a  premature  marriage ;  they  deferred  the  happiness 
they  proposed  to  themselves,  till  it  would  bring  no  re- 
pentance; till  they  were  provided  with  the  means  of 
living  in  honour  and  comfort.  They  both  felt  that  they 
acted  right,  though  they  suffered  delay  in  the  union 
which  they  desired  above  all  things,  and  this  self-appro- 
bation made  amends  to  them. 

"  If  we  are  unfortunate  in  this  circumstance,"  wrote 
Mr.  Roscoe  to  his  friend,  "  let  us  be  grateful  to  Provi- 
dence for  the  many  blessings  we  enjoy.  I  am  proud  to 
reflect,  that  whilst  numbers  around  us  are  almost  every 
day  united  upon  sordid,  capricious,  and  unworthy  mo- 
tives, we  have  chosen  a  nobler  plan. 

"  Conscious  of  the  rectitude  of  our  conduct,  and  of 
the  innocence  of  our  hearts,  we  have  nothing  to  fear ; 


160  WILLIAM   ROSCOE. 

but  can  place  our  happiness  in  that  great  Being  who 
never  deceives  those  who  put  their  trust  in  him — that 
Being,  who  has  ever  been  a  guardian  to  us  both,  and 
who,  I  hope,  will  at  length  crown  his  goodness,  by  ren- 
dering us  happy  in  ourselves,  and  in  the  knowledge  of 
each  other's  happiness." 

In  1781  this  admirable  pair  were  united,  and  for  a 
long  course  of  years  enjoyed  in  each  other's  society  the 
happiness  they  had  anticipated.  That  "  Happiness  be- 
gins at  Home,"  was  agreed  upon  by  both;  the  same 
pleasures  were  enjoyed  by  both;  the  same  principles 
ruled  their  lives,  and  the  same  piety  and  gratitude  to 
God,  exalted  all  their  blessings,  and  all  their  enjoyment 
of  them. 

Liverpool,  till  about  the  middle  of  the  last  century, 
was  an  inconsiderable  place ;  but  by  means  of  commerce, 
it  has  become  a  large  and  flourishing  city,  with  broad 
streets,  elegant  buildings,  and  numerous  public  institu- 
tions. A  great  part  of  this  wealth  was  at  first  gained 
by  the  slave  trade. 

The  young  reader  knows,  perhaps,  that  parts  of  North 
and  South  America,  and  the  West  India  islands,  are  cul- 
tivated by  negroes.  Many  of  these  are  bought  by  white 
men  in  Africa,  where  they  have  been  seized  forcibly, 
young  and  old,  women  and  children,  either  by  white 
men,  or  blacks  engaged  in  the  trade,  and  afterwards  sold 
like  horses  or  oxen. 

The  merchants  of  Liverpool  engaged  largely  in  this 
business.  They  sent  ships  to  Africa  to  purchase  negroes, 


WILLIAM   ROSCOE.  161 

and  then  sold  them  in  America.  This  proved  a  very 
lucrative  traffic,  and  there  was  hardly  a  family  in  Liver- 
pool, which  had  not  some  member,  or  some  connexion, 
enriched  by  the  slave  trade. 

Men  seldom  blame  themselves  for  any  business  which 
is  a  source  of  profit.  The  merchants  of  Liverpool  real- 
ised the  benefits  of  the  money  obtained  by  the  sale  of 
their  fellow-beings,  and  they  did  not  consider  that  they 
procured  it  by  any  sacrifice  of  human  happiness.  Many 
of  those,  however,  who  were  not  concerned  in  the  slave- 
trade,  regarded  it  as  violating  the  law  of  love  and  charity, 
and  thought  that  tne  lawrs  of  a  Christian  nation  ought  to 
prohibit  and  abolish  this  trade  altogether. 

Many  eminent  persons,  philanthropists,  clergymen, 
and  some  members  of  parliament,  convinced  that  it  was 
contrary  to  humanity,  loudly  expressed  their  disapproba- 
tion of  the  slave  trade ;  and  in  1787,  a  society  was  formed 
in  London,  for  considering  what  might  be  the  best  mode 
of  procuring  the  abolition  of  it.  Ten  years  before  that 
time,  the  question  had  been  brought  before  parliament, 
but  nothing  effectual  had  been  done  to  suppress  the  trade. 

The  citizens  of  Liverpool,  too  much  attached  to  their 
own  interests  properly  to  understand  the  evils  that  re- 
sulted from  this  iniquitous  traffic,  could  not  hear  the 
question  discussed  with  the  least  patience ;  and  though 
they  could  not  shut  their  ears  to  it,  the  mention  of  the 
subject  led  to  displeasure  and  contention. 

It  would  have  been  the  part  of  worldly  prudence,  per- 
haps, for  Mr.  Roscoe  to  have  been  silent  upon  this  ques- 

11 


162  WILLIAM    ROSCOE. 

tion ;  but  he  believed  that  his  fellow-citizens  were  out- 
raging the  law  of  humanity,  in  thus  profiting  by  the 
weakness  of  their  helpless  fellow-creatures,  and  during 
his  whole  life  he  made  the  most  active  exertions  in  behalf 
of  the  poor  Africans.  As  a  writer,  and  a  public  man, 
he  took  a  very  active  part  in  the  cause  of  abolition.  This 
brought  upon  him  the  displeasure  of  marry,  but  he  held 
fast  his  integrity,  and  lived  to  see  the  slave-trade,  after 
many  years  of  angry  debate  upon  the  subject,  abolished 
by  the  British  parliament. 


Two  other  questions  greatly  agitated  the  British  nation 
in  his  time;  one  was  the  French  Revolution,  and  the 
other,  the  Reform  of  Parliament.  In  England,  many 
men  in  power  believed  that  the  outrages  committed  in 
France  upon  the  king  and  the  nobility,  would  be  imitated 
against  sovereigns  and  nobles  in  every  country  of  Eu- 
rope, if  the  English  government  did  not  declare  war 
against  the  republican  party  in  France  ;  and  that,  there- 
fore, it  became  the  duty  of  the  nation  to  maintain  the 
power  of  established  governments,  against  all  rebellion 
of  subjects. 

Mr.  Roscoe  was  not  of  this  opinion.  He  believed  that 
the  French  people  had  suffered  great  wrong,  and  were 
seeking  to  redress  themselves,  and  that,  therefore,  it 
would  be  a  just  and  wise  policy  in  the  British  govern- 
ment to  forbear  from  interfering  in  their  affairs.     The 


WILLIAM    ROSCOE.  163 

other  party  was  the  stronger,  and  the  war  was  under- 
taken, and  prosecuted  for  many  years. 

Violent  opposition  upon  the  subjeot  was  kept  up  in 
England  during  the  whole  continuance  of  the  war;  but 
Mr.  Roscoe  always  adhered  to  the  principles  of  peace. 
He  regretted  the  atrocities  of  the  French  revolutionists ; 
but  he  never  approved  of  the  interference  of  England, 
of  the  immense  expenditure  of  money,  and  the  deplora- 
ble waste  of  human  life,  which  is  necessary  in  all  war- 
fare of  civilised  men. 

His  independence  in  respect  to  the  war  with  France, 
procured  him  the  esteem  and  friendship  of  many  eminent 
and  excellent  persons,  who  agreed  with  him  concerning 
it,  though  many  others,  who  upheld  the  measures  of 
government,  could  not  appreciate  his  sentiments ;  but  to 
act  and  speak  as  he  thought  to  be  honest  and  right,. 
always  satisfied  his  own  conscience. 

In  England,  when  the  country  was  far  less  populous 
than  it  now  is,  laws  were  made,  that  certain  districts 
only  should  send  members  to  parliament.  In  the  course 
of  time  new  cities  grew  up,  and  old  boroughs  were 
almost  depopulated,  so  that  many  of  the  nation  demand- 
ed that  a  new  rule  of  representation,  more  equitable  in 
regard  to  the  whole,  should  supersede  the  old  one. 

This  change  was  effected  in  1832,  but  not  till  after 
many  years  of  opposition  and  altercation  upon  the  ques- 
tion of  reform.  Mr.  Roscoe  was  always  earnest  for  the 
amendment,  notwithstanding  that  he  risked  his  own 
popularity  in  taking  part  with  the  reformers.  "  His  native 


164  WILLIAM   ROSCOE. 

disposition  to  do  good,*  says  his  son,  "ever  displayed 
itself,  in  opposition  to  injustice  and  oppression,  under 
every  form,  and  .in  a  zealous  and  generous  desire  to 
benefit  his  fellow-creatures." 


The  grace  and  dignity  of  Mr.  Roscoe's  manners ;  his 
various  attainments ;  his  capacity  and  integrity  as  a  man 
of  business ;  the  benevolence  of  his  heart ;  his  agreeable 
conversation,  and  the  independence  of  his  political  senti- 
ments, procured  him  friends  among  persons  of  all  classes 
in  Liverpool ;  and  when  he  went  to  London,  the  most 
eminent  men  of  liberal  principles  cultivated  his  friendship. 

The  influence  of  Mr.  Roscoe's  principles  extended  be- 
yond Britain.  In  1793,  Count  Rantzau,  a  young  Danish 
nobleman,  formed  an  acquaintance  with  him.,  He  was 
the  proprietor  of  large  estates  in  the  province  of  Holstein, 
in  the  dominions  of  the  King  of  Denmark.  These  estates 
were  cultivated  by  serfs,  attached  to  the  soil,  like  those 
of  Russia. 

From  the  conversation  of  Mr.  Roscoe,  this  young 
nobleman  acquired  such  principles  of  humanity,  that 
when  he  returned  to  his  native  country  he  began  the 
work  of  emancipation.  He  granted  liberty  and  property 
to  his  own  vassals,  and  turned  the  attention  of  other 
landed  proprietors  to  examine  the  condition  of  slavery  in 
the  province. 

The  result  of  this  investigation,  was  a  petition  of  the 
nobles  to  the  king,  to  admit  the  class  of  slaves  to  that 


WILLIAM    ROSCOE.  165 

of  citizens,  which  subsequently  took  place.  When  Count 
Rantzau  informed  Mr.  Roscoe  of  this  event,  he  expressed 
his  satisfaction  in  the  following  terms,  in  a  letter  addressed 
to  the  former. 

"  It  was  with  satisfaction  that  I  learned  you  had  libe- 
rated your  numerous  vassals.  The  accomplishments  of 
rank,  or  the  acquisition  of  science,  may  command  respect 
and  admiration;  but  I  venerate  the  man  who  can  break 
through  the  prejudices  of  an  unjust,  though  established 
custom,  and  find  satisfaction  in  exchanging  the  name 
of  master,  for  that  of  a  father,  benefactor,  and  friend." 
(1794). 

No  person  can  doubt  the  satisfaction  Mr.  Roscoe  must 
have  felt,  that  by  any  influence  which  he  had  exerted, 
in  promoting  the  liberty  and  happiness  of  so  large  a 
number  of  his  fellow-creatures,  they  were  admitted  to 
their  just  share  in  the  privileges  of  civilised  and  Christian 
society. 


Of  Mr.  Roscoe's  literary  works,  the  principal  are  two 
Histories. — One,  the  life  of  Lorenzo  de  Medici,  and  the 
other,  the  Life  and  Pontificate  of  Leo  X.  These  were 
Italian  princes,  of  one  family,  who  were  great  patrons 
of  artists  and  learned  men.  Possessed  of  immense 
wealth,  they  bestowed  it  in  extending  learning,  and  in 
paying  large  prices  for  pictures  and  statues.  This  brief 
sketch  of  Mr.  Roscoe  does  not  afford  room  to  describe 
works ;  but  they  were  much  admired,  both  in  Eng- 


166  WILLIAM    ROSCOE. 

land  and  Italy,  and  extended  Mr.  Roscoe's  reputation, 
as  a  man  of  taste  and  learning,  throughout  Europe  and 
America. 

Mr.  Roscoe,  by  his  industry,  obtained  a  sufficient 
fortune  to  retire  from  Liverpool  to  an  elegant  country- 
house — to  embellish  it  in  a  manner  suitable  to  his  taste, 
and  to  relieve  himself  considerably  from  the  fatigue  of 
business.  Excessive  desire  of  property  he  esteemed  to 
be  irrational ;  and  he  believed  that  the  curse  of  God — 
that  is,  the  want  of  true  happiness — always  followed 
excessive  love  of  money. 

"  Health,  wisdom,  peace  of  mind,  conscience,  are  all 
sacrificed  to  the  absurd  purpose  of  heaping  up,  for  the 
use  of  life,  more  than  life  can  enjoy;  and  we  labour  on, 
till  we  are  obliged  to  take  our  departure,  as  tired  of  this 
world  as  we  are  unprepared  for  the  rational  happiness 
of  the  next :"  said  he,  in  a  letter  to  one  of  his  friends. 

Mr.  Roscoe  took  great  delight  in  the  science  of  botany, 
and  in  all  rural  employments.  By  his  influence,  and 
that  of  some  of  his  friends,  an  extensive  botanic  garden 
wras  established  near  Liverpool;  and  many  other  insti- 
tutions, of  a  literary  and  scientific  character,  originating 
in  his  recommendation  and  exertions,  greatly  increased 
the  intellectual  resources  and  pleasures  of  the  inhabit- 
ants. 

The  intellectual  and  moral  pleasures  he  so  generously 
endeavoured  to  procure  for  others,  he  enjoyed  most 
exquisitely  himself,  in  the  circle  of  his  family  and  friends. 
In  1806,  he  received  a  visit  from  Dr.  Parr,  one  of  the 


WILLIAM    ROSCOE.  167 

most  learned  men  of  the  time.  Dr.  Parr  was  so  much 
delighted  with  this  visit,  that  soon  after  he  wrote  as  fol- 
lows to  Mr.  Roscoe. 

Dear  Mr.  Roscoe, — 
I  am  now  in  my  sixtieth  year.  I  have  conversed 
with  the  wisest  and  most  learned  of  my  contemporaries, 
and  I  say  to  you,  with  great  sincerity,  that  the  days  I 
spent  with  you  and  your  family,  were  among  the  hap- 
piest days  of  my  life.  I  shall  remember  you;  I  shall 
esteem  you ;  I  shall  praise  you ;  I  shall  bless  you,  one 
and  all,  again  and  again.  Yes,  dear  sir,  I  am  thankful 
to  Heaven  for  granting  me  such  an  intellectual  and  such 
a  moral  repast.  I  shall  again  be  thankful  if  I  am  again 
permitted  to  see  you,  and  your  wife,  and  your  children. 

The  amiable  manners  of  Mr.  Roscoe's  whole  family, 
their  cultivated  minds  and  rational  pursuits,  and  above 
all,  Mr.  Roscoe's  sentiments  and  conversation,  drew 
from  Dr.  Parr  these  lively  expressions  of  admiration.  A 
venerable  and  wise  man,  surrounded  by  affectionate  and 
good  children,  the  whole  serving  and  blessing  each 
other,  and  doing  good  to  all  around  them,  is  one  of  the 
most  beautiful  sights  in  the  world. 

The  family  which  Dr.  Parr  remembered  with  such 
delight  and  affection,  was  regarded  with  the  same  re- 
spect wherever  they  were  known.  The  inhabitants  of 
Liverpool  universally  esteemed  Mr.  Roscoe's  example ; 
and  the  whole  society  was  improved  by  his  influence. 
Born  among  them,  in  a  very  humble  condition,  purely 


168  WILLIAM    ROSCOE. 

by  his  merit — his  understanding,  knowledge,  and  refine- 
ment, he  commended  to  his  townsmen — that  each  might 
deserve  the  respect  he  commanded  himself — the  culti- 
vation of  their  minds,  and  the  improvement  of  their 
manners ;  so  that  every  person,  however  humble,  might 
hope  to  exalt  himself  by  his  virtues  solely,  without  re- 
gard to  any  other  consideration. 

In  England,  and  in  all  countries  where  a  class  of 
hereditary  nobility  exists,  men  are  apt  to  value  them- 
selves more  upon  the  dignity  of  their  ancestors  than  upon 
their  own  personal  worth;  and  even  to  believe  that 
their  honourable  connections  make  amends  for  their  own 
misconduct.  To  such  the  virtuous  son  of  the  poor  man 
may  say, — 

"  If  virtue  honours  the  low  race 
From  which  I  am  descended, 
If  vices  your  high  birth  disgrace, 
Which  should  be  most  commended  1" 

Mr.  Roscoe  was  an  eminent  example  that  "  honour 
and  shame  from  no  condition  rise ;"  that  "  worth  makes 
the  man ;"  and  that  a  clear  conscience  and  a  useful  life 
afford  the  best  happiness,  and  secure  the  only  true 
esteem  of  mankind.  It  may  be  noticed  here,  that  Mr. 
Roscoe,  in  1794,  left  the  profession  of  law,  and  entered 
into  commercial  pursuits. 

It  is  thought  by. some  persons,  that  business  must 
occupy  a  man's  whole  time  and  thoughts ;  that  buying 
and  selling  are  the  proper  employment  of  a  merchant's 


WILLIAM   ROSCOE.  169 

faculties,  and  that  to  obtain  money  is  the  chief  object  of 
his  life.  Now,  it  is  perfectly  easy  to  be  vigilant  and 
industrious  in  business,  and  to  be  intelligent  and  accom- 
plished besides. 

Mr.  Roscoe  believed,  when  he  went  into  commercial 
business,  he  might  still  cultivate  all  his  former  means  of 
happiness.  "  Must  I,"  says  he,  "  hereafter  open  no  books 
but  journals  and  legers  ?"  He  was  satisfied  not  to  be 
rich,  he  sought  only  to  be  independent,  and  to  enjoy 
pleasures  that  are  cheaply  purchased — the  pleasures  of 
reading  and  of  science ;  and,  as  he  could  procure 
them,  the  pleasure  of  possessing  a  few  pictures  and 
works  of  art. 

He  admired  the  following  representation  of  a  happy 
condition  of  life.  "  An  honest  and  sensible  man  is  placed 
in  a  middle  station — in  circumstances  rather  scanty  than 
abounding.  He  has  all  the  necessaries,  but  none  of  the 
superfluities  of  life ;  and  these  necessaries  he  acquires  by 
his  prudence,  his  studies,  and  his  industry.  If  he  seeks 
to  better  his  income,  it  is  by  such  methods  as  hurt 
neither  his  conscience  nor  his  constitution.  He  has 
friends  and  acquaintances  of  his  own  rank :  he  receives 
good  offices  from  them,  and  returns  the  same."* 


Mr.  Roscoe's  life  is  rather  a  history  of  his  character 
than  of  remarkable  events.     He  was  through  life  con- 


*  Jortin's  Sermons. 


170  WTLLIAM    ROSCOE. 

stantly  endeavouring  to  improve  his  own  mind  and  to 
benefit  others.  He  succeeded  in  both ;  though  sometimes 
he  felt  discouraged  that  his  efforts  to  abolish  slavery, 
and  promote  peace  on  earth,  appeared  not  to  promote 
either  designs. 

But,  whenever  his  generous  purposes  seemed  to  him- 
self to  fail  in  the  end,  his  piety  comforted  him.  In  a 
letter  to  Mr.  Wilberforce,  he  wrote,  "  Disappointed  in  my 
expectations,  I  have  chastised  my  mind  into  submission. 
I  am  tranquillised  and  consoled  by  the  reflection,  that 
the  Great  Disposer  of  events  stands  in  no  need  of  such 
feeble  aid  as  any  of  his  creatures  can  give,  in  order  to 
accomplish  any  purpose  which  he  may  see  proper,  in 
the  course  of  his  Providence,  to  carry  into  effect ;  and 
that  therefore,  to  lament  the  failure  of  our  individual 
efforts,  is  equally  wicked  and  presumptuous." 

Mr.  Roscoe  had  great  need  of  this  spirit  of  submis- 
sion. Happy  as  he  was  for  a  long  course  of  years,  his 
benevolent  designs  met  with  so  much  opposition,  that  he 
often  gave  up  all  hope.  And  though  he  acquired  a  con- 
siderable property,  and  enjoyed  much  of  the  ease  and 
elegance  of  affluence,  he  was  suddenly  deprived  of  all, 
by  one  of  the  reverses  to  which  trade  is  always  liable. 

Public  affairs  change  the  course  of  business,  and  some- 
times prevent  the  most  upright  persons  from  meeting 
their  engagements.  A  partner  in  Mr.  Roscoe's  concern 
suddenly  withdrew  his  share  of  the  funds  employed  in 
the  bank  in  which  they  were  engaged;  and  some  public 
contingencies  made  such  demands  on  the  remainder,  that 


WILLIAM    ROSCOE.  171 

the  company  was  unable  to  pay  its  debts,  and  the  part- 
ners became  insolvent. 

This  happened  in  1820.  Nothing  could  be  more  pain- 
ful to  Mr.  Roscoe  than  to  be  unable  to  pay  what  he 
owed ;  but,  to  discharge  all  that  was  possible,  he  cheer- 
fully surrendered  all  that  he  held — his  delightful  house, 
his  valuable  library,  his  beautiful  pictures  and  drawings, 
and  all  his  busts  and  statues.  It  was  painful  to  part 
with  these  innocent  luxuries,  but  it  was  right  and  just 
to  retain  nothing  while  he  owed  any  thing;  and  he 
relinquished  the  whole  to  his  creditors  without  the  least 
reserve. 

Misfortune  calls  forth  the  best  affections  in  man. 
When  it  was  known  how  much  Mr.  Roscoe  must  suffer 
— how  completely  he  was  to  be  stripped  of  all  his  ac- 
customed gratifications,  his  fellow-citizens,  appreciating 
his  worth  and  his  feelings,  came  forward,  and  bestowed 
a  sum  exceeding  SI 0,000  for  his  relief;  and  some  of 
his  friends  purchased  for  his  use  a  few  of  his  most  valu- 
able books. 

The  loss  of  wealth  gave  no  other  pain  to  Mr.  Roscoe, 
than  that  it  was  a  great  change,  and  deprived  him  of 
objects  which  he  valued  because  they  were  beautiful  and 
valuable,  and  because  he  had  possessed  them ;  but  repin- 
ing and  discontent  were  far  from  a  mind  ever  submitted 
to  Providence,  and  still  retaining  all  its  powers  of  enjoy- 
ment and  usefulness. 

He  still  pursued  his  literary  employments;  his  sons 
and  daughters  were  grown  to  maturity ;  some  were  mar- 


172  WILLIAM   ROSCOE. 

ried  and  provided  for,  some  remained  with  him,  and 
formed  his  domestic  companions ;  and  they  all  were  a 
delight  and  honour  to  him,  being  cultivated,  rational,  and 
pious — children  worthy  of  their  exemplary  parent. 

During  the  last  days  of  his  life,  Mr.  Roscoe  interested 
himself  exceedingly  in  the  melioration  of  prison  disci- 
pline. It  is  found  necessary,  in  all  civilised  countries,  to 
put  into  confinement  those  who  injure  the  persons  or  the 
property  of  others.  It  is  intended,  and  hoped,  that  they 
may  be  made  better  by  being  punished  for  their  offences ; 
that  the  wicked  man,  being  thus  corrected,  may  forsake 
his  way,  and  do  that  which  is  lawful  and  right. 

But  lawgivers  and  magistrates  do  not  agree  concern- 
ing the  best  methods  of  preventing  crimes,  or  punishing 
offences.  Some  years  ago  it  was  thought  best  by  many 
to  shut  up  criminals  in  solitary  confinement,  night  and 
day,  without  any  employment,  and  to  let  them  suffer 
alone  the  pain  of  their  own  thoughts,  without  counsel  or 
sympathy  of  others. 

Man  is  an  active  being — if  he  has  no  occupation,  he 
falls  into  disease,  or  insanity,  or  idiocy,  so  that  if  solitary 
confinement  does  not  soon  terminate  his  life,  it  tends  to 
destroy  his  mind.  Mr.  Roscoe,  and  some  other  benevo- 
lent men  in  Europe  and  America,  choosing  rather  to 
reclaim  the  wandering,  and  save  the  lost,  contended,  that 
how  guilty  soever  any  man  might  be,  his  fellow-men  had 
no  right  to  destroy  his  faculties  and  his  happiness ;  but 
that  it  is  the  duty  of  the  civil  power  to  endeavour  to  exalt 
both,  under  all  possible  degradation. 


WILLIAM    ROSCOE.  173 

Pity  for  the  ignorant,  and  for  them  that  are  out  of  the 
way,  is  a  duty  that  we  all  owe  to  our  fellow-beings. 
The  legislator,  without  doubt,  ought  always  to  regard 
humanity,  and  to  provide,  so  far  as  he  can,  for  the 
amendment  of  transgressors.  Many  persons,  as  has  been 
remarked,  irritated  by  the  mischief  and  misery  produced 
by  ignorant  men,  who  break  the  laws  and  disturb  the 
peace  of  society,  have  thought  that  no  mercy  was  due 
to  such  persons.  Their  reformation  they  considered  im- 
practicable. 

To  Mr.  Roscoe's  benevolent  heart,  the  sighing  of  the 
prisoner  did  not  appeal  in  vain ;  he  believed  that  every 
living  man  had  a  right  to  the  privileges  of  a  man,  and 
that  being  a  prisoner  on  account  of  crime,  did  not  exempt 
him  from  the  possibility  of  becoming  useful — of  employ- 
ing himself  in  some  labour  that  might  be  serviceable  to 
society ;  and  he  wrote  many  tracts,  and  held  an  exten- 
sive correspondence  with  persons  in  different  countries, 
in  order  to  effect  a  system  of  prison  discipline  that 
should  provide  for  the  comfort  and  reformation  of  the 
prisoner. 

The  venerable  Lafayette,  in  his  visit  to  the  United 
States,  made  himself  acquainted  with  the  state  of  our 
prisons,  and  it  is  supposed,  that  his  opinions  on  the  subject 
of  prison  discipline,  coinciding  entirely  with  Mr.  Roscoe's, 
had,  together  with  Mr.  Roscoe's  known  sentiments,  great 
influence  in  promoting  the  reformatory  system  which  is 
generally  in  operation  in  these  states. 

In  1830,  Mr.  Roscoe  addressed  a  letter  to  Dr.  Hosack 


174  WILLIAM    ROSCOE. 

of  New  York,  in  which  he  says,  "  It  is  only  a  few  weeh 
since  I  have  learned  that  the  Legislature  of  Pennsylvania 
have  at  length  given  way  to  the  feelings  of  humanity, 
and  have  determined  that  the  convicts  shall  be  allowed 
to  labour  in  the  day,  and  shall  be  instructed  for  that  pur- 
pose, as  well  as  in  whatever  else  may  be  requisite  for 
their  reformation." 

He  concluded  this  letter  thus — "The  relinquishment 
of  this  system  for  one  of  solitary  confinement,  would 
have  grieved  me  more  than  I  can  express;  but,  thank 
God !  my  dread  of  that  is  over.  I  shall  now  die  in 
peace :" 

"  So  sinks  the  good  man  to  his  rest, 
With  thanks  of  grateful  millions  blest." 

Now,  every  day  the  cell  of  the  prisoner  is  gladdened 
by  the  interposition  of  this  generous  philanthropist — his 
dreary  confinement  is  relieved  by  industry  that  he  is 
permitted  to  practise,  and  he  is  taught  that  angels  rejoice 
over  sinners  that  repent.  Thus  the  happy  results  of 
benevolence  extend  infinitely  beyond  the  brief  life  of 
men  and  women,  who  think  and  toil  for  the  welfare  of 
those  they  can  never  know. 


It  remains  only  to  say  a  few  words  more  of  the  digni- 
fied and  happy  'old  age  of  this  excellent  man.  Having 
done  all  that  he  could  for  mankind,  he  employed  his  last 
days  in  preparing  a  very  beautiful  botanical  work  on  the 


WILLIAM    ROSGOE.  175 

Monandrian  Plants.  In  the  works  of  nature  he.  ever 
beheld  the  skill  and  beauty  of  the  divine  mind,  and  to 
this  work  he  prefixed  a  sonnet,  which  expresses  the  glow 
of  devotion  with  which  he  contemplated  the  creator  of 
the  universe,  beholding  him  in  the  things  he  has  made. 

"  God  of  the  changeful  year ! — amidst  the  glow 

Of  strength  and  beauty,  and  transcendant  grace, 
Which  on  the  mountain  heights,  or  deep  below, 

In  sheltered  vales,  and  each  sequestered  place, 
Thy  forms  of  vegetable  life  assume. 

Whether  thy  pines,  with  giant  arms  displayed, 
Brave  the  cold  north,  or,  wrapt  in  eastern  gloom, 

Thy  trackless  forests  sweep,  a  world  of  shade ; 
Or  whether,  scenting  ocean's  heaving  breast, 

Thy  odoriferous  isles  innumerous  rise ; 
Or,  under  various  lighter  forms  imprest,  " 

Of  fruits,  and  flowers,  thy  works  delight  our  eyes; — ' 
God  of  all  life !  whate'er  those  forms  may  be, 

O  !  may  they  all  unite  in  praising  Thee  !" 

Mr.  Roscoe  lived  to  see  the  great  interests  of  society, 
which  for  more  than  half  a  century  he  had  laboured  to 
promote,  against  the  selfishness  and  party  violence  of 
their  opposers,  gradually  advanced,  and  secured  by  the 
laws  of  his  native  land.  The  abolition  of  slavery — the 
establishment  of  peace  in  Europe — Catholic  emancipa- 
tion— parliamentary  reform;  and  beyond  Europe,  the 
mitigation  of  prison  discipline  in  distant  countries,  had 
all  successively  called  forth  his  disinterested  exertions, 


176  WILLIAM   ROSCOE. 

and  he  had  the  happiness  to  know  before  he  died,  that  in 
regard  to  these  important  objects,  he  had  not  laboured 
in  vain,  nor  spent  his  strength  for  nought. 

Mr.  jtoscoe  died  in  his  eightieth  year,  June  30th,  1831. 
As  he  had  lived  beloved  wherever  he  was  known,  honour- 
ed wherever  his  reputation  extended,  so  was  his  death 
lamented  by  all  who  venerated  his  character,  particularly 
by  his  affectionate  family,  and  his  grateful  townsmen,  the 
citizens  of  Liverpool. 

His  death,  like  his  life,  was  edifying  and  beautiful.  He 
looked  beyond  the  grave  to  life  eternal,  to  the  mercy  of 
God  whom  he  had  served,  and  to  society  of  the  just 
made  perfect,  who,  being  dead,  still  speak  in  their  works 
left  on  earth.  To  this  society  he  had  long  looked  forward 
with  hope  :- 

"  When  freed  from  earth,  unlimited  its  powers, 
Mind  shall  with  mind  direct  communion  hold, 
And  kindred  spirits  meet  to  part  no  more." 


QUESTIONS. 


Was  Mr.  Roscoe  a  good  man,  and  what  sort  of  education  had  he  ? 
— For  what  was  Mr.  R.  remarkable? — Who  was  Mr.  R.'s  father7? 
— Was  Roscoe's  mother  a  good  woman  1 — Did  Roscoe  reverence 
his  mother  ? — What  verses  did  Mr.  R.  write  on  his  mother's  death  1 

What  formed  the  chief  recreation  of  young  R.  1 — To  whom  did 
R.  attribute  his  good  principles ! — What  did  R.  learn  at  school  1 — 
What  sort  of  education  did  R.  bestow  upon  himself] — How  did  he 


WILLIAM    ROSCOE.  177 

employ  himself  at  home  1 — In  what  employment  did  he  assist  his 
father  ? 

What  employment  did  Mr.  Roscoe  consider  the  happiest? — What 
arts  did  Mr.  R.  practise  in  his  youth  ? — Did  Roscoe  take  care  of  his 
books? — Did  R.  feel  tenderness  towards  animals? — What  profes- 
sion did  R.  engage  in  ? — By  what  habits  did  he  secure  success  in 
life? — Who  was  of  great  service  to  young  R.  ? — What  was  H.'s 
character  ? — How  did  Roscoe  acquire  the  Italian  language  ? 

What  was  Mr.  Roscoe's  reJigion? — From  what  book  did  Mr.  R. 
learn  his  religion? — How  did  he  regard  the  precepts  of  Jesus? — 
Did  Mr.  R.  regard  obedience  to  be  the  mark  of  true  wisdom  and 
piety  ? — Did  Mr.  R.  hold  his  religious  principles  to  the  end  of  his 
days? — How  can  we  know  if  our  religion  is  true? 

Whom  did  Mr.  R.  marry  ? — What  sort  of  wife  was  Mrs.  R.  ? — 
Did  Mr.  R.  marry  before  he  could  support  a  family  ? — Was  Mr.  R. 
grateful  to  Providence  ? — In  whom  did  Mr.  R.  trust  ? — Did  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  R.  enjoy  domestic  happiness  ? 

How  was  the  city  of  Liverpool  enriched  ? — How  are  negroes 
sometimes  treated  ? — Did  the  citizens  of  Liverpool  engage  largely 
in  the  slave  trade? — Who  disapproved  of  the  slave  trade? — Who 
formed  an  Abolition  Society  ? — How  did  the  citizens  of  Liverpool 
regard  the  suppression  of  the  slave  trade  ? — Did  Mr.  Roscoe  approve 
of  the  slave  trade? 

Did  Mr.  Roscoe  see  the  abolition  of  the  slave  trade? — Why  did 
the  English  interfere  with  the  French  Revolution  ? — What  did  Mr. 
Roscoe  think  of  the  Revolution? — Did  Mr.  R.  hold  fast  his  political 
principles  ? — Was  Mr.  R.'s  integrity  respected  ? — Why  was  parlia- 
mentary reform  in  England  desirable  ? — Did  Mr.  R.  wish  for  this 
reform  ? 

Did  Mr.  R.'s  virtues  obtain  friends  of  great  merit  ? — Did  Mr. 
R.'s  influence  extend  beyond  his  own  country  ? — What  act  of  jus- 
tice was  done  by  Mr.  R.'s  persuasion  ? — Did  the  King  of  Denmark 
hearken  to  the  petition  of  the  nobles  in  behalf  of  their  serfs  ? — 
What  letter  was  written  to  Count  Rantzau  by  Mr.  R.  ? — Was  Mr. 
R.'s  philanthropy  a  source  of  happiness  to  himself? 

12 


178  WILLIAM    ROSCOE. 

What  were  Mr.  Roscoe's  principal  literary  works  1 — Did  Mr.  R. 
covet  wealth? — What  were  Mr.  R.'s  notions  of  wealth"? — What 
services  did  Mr.  R.  render  to  the  city  of  Liverpool  ? — What  society 
did  Mr.  R.  prefer  ) 

What  letter  did  Dr.  Parr  write  to  Mr.  R.  ?— What  is  one  of  the 
most  beautiful  sights  in  the  world  ? — What  was  Mr.  R.'s  influence 
in  Liverpool  as  a  member  of  society'!- — Are  the  lowly  born  as 
honourable  as  the  highest  class  of  society  ? 

When  did  Mr.  Roscoe  leave  the  profession  of  law  ? — Must  busi- 
ness employ  a  man's  whole  time  1 — Did  Mr.  R.  spend  his  whole 
time  in  business  1 — What  is  Dr.  Jortin's  description  of  a  happy 
man? — Was  Mr.  Roscoe  ever  discouraged  in  his  endeavours  to  do. 
good] 

What  did  Mr.  R.  write  to  Mr.  Wilberforce  1— Had  Mr.  R.  occa- 
sion for  great  firmness  of  mind ! — What  deprived  Mr.  R.  of  his 
property  ? — How  did  Mr.  R.  act  in  this  emergency ! — Did  the  citi- 
zens of  Liverpool  exhibit  sympathy  with  Mr.  R.  in  his  misfortunes ! 

How  did  the  reverse  of  fortune  affect  Mr.  R.  ? — Had  Mr.  R.  good 
children  ? — What  benevolent  object  engaged  Mr.  R.  in  his  old  age  ? 
— Do  men  alwTays  think  alike  concerning  the  same  object  ? — What 
did  Mr.  R.  think  was  due  to  criminals  ? — Ought  humanity  always 
to  be  observed  in  the  treatment  of  criminals!  . 

What  efforts  did  Mr.  R.  make  for  the  melioration  of  prison  dis- 
cipline ? — What  success  followed  Mr.  R.'s  exertions'? — What  letter 
did  Mr.  R,oscoe  write  in  1830?— Do  the  effects  of  benevolence  ex- 
tend beyond  the  period  of  a  man's  life 1 — How  did  Mr.  R.  spend 
Ins  old  age  ? 

What  hymn  did  Mr.  R.  write  not  long  before  his  death  ? — What 
important  reforms  in  society  did  Mr.  R.  live  to  see  effected? — 
When  did  Mr.  R.  die  ? — Did  Mr.  R.  meet  death  with  resignation  ? 


(     179     ) 


WILLIAM    PENN 


[The  following  article  is  the  only  one  in  this  little  book  not 
written  by  the  author.  It  is  taken,  almost  literally,  from  a  Memoir 
of  Penn  by  Priscilla  Wakefield,  prefixed  to  his  Reflections  and 
Maxims,  which  form  a  small  volume,  of  admirable  truth  and  use- 
fulness.] 

This  eminent  person  was  born  in  London,  on  the  14th 
October,  1644.  His  father,  Admiral  Sir  William  Penn, 
bestowed  great  pains  upon  his  education,  and  sent  him, 
at  an  early  age,  to  an  excellent  free  grammar-school,  at 
Chigwell  in  Essex,  where  he  applied  his  talents  so  suc- 
cessfully, that  at  fifteen  he  was  qualified  to  go  to  the 
university  of  Oxford. 

William  Penn  was  of  a  very  serious  disposition,  and 
even  in  childhood  received  deep  impressions  of  religion. 
Whilst  at  the  university,  his  mind  was  so  much  affected 
by  the  preaching  of  Thomas  Loe,  one  of  the  people 
called  Quakers,  that  he  joined  some  of  his  fellow-colle- 
gians in  holding  meetings  after  the  manner  of  that  sect ; 
which  custom,  being  contrary  to  the  rules  of  the  college, 
caused  him  to  be  expelled  from  it. 

His  father,  irritated  at  this  disgrace,  and  mortified  at 
the  sentiments  of  his  son,  which  he  in  vain  endeavoured 


180  WILLIAM    PENPf. 

to  change,  in  a  fit  of  anger  turned  him  out  of  doors. 
Softened,  however,  by  the  intercessions  of  his  wife,  the 
Admiral  received  him  again  into  favour,  and  hoped  to 
divert  his  attention  from  serious  subjects,  by  sending  him 
to  see  foreign  countries. 

William  Penn  spent  some  time  in  Paris ;  and  it  hap- 
pened whilst  he  was  there,  that  he  was  attacked  one 
evening  in  the  street  by  a  person  who  drew  his  sword 
upon  him  in  consequence  of  a  supposed  affront.  He, 
with  great  presence  of  mind,  as  well  as  address,  disarmed 
his  antagonist ;  but  generously  spared  his  life,  when  he 
might  have  taken  it  without  endangering  his  own.  By 
this  conduct,  he  gave  a  noble  example  to  rash  young 
men,  not  of  courage  only,  but  of  forbearance. 

He  visited  other  parts  of  the  continent,  also,  where  he 
formed  a  friendship  with  the  learned  Moses  Amyrault,* 
famous  for  his  religious  writings.  Under  his  auspices, 
he  renewed  his  studies,  and  confirmed  his  resolution  to 
lead  a  serious  life.     . 

Being  recalled  home,  he  became  a  student  in  Lincoln's 
Inn ;  (where  young  gentlemen  in  London  study  the  civil 
law),  with  design  to  gain  a  general  knowledge  of  the 
laws  of  his  own  country ;  but  was  obliged  to  quit  Lon- 
don on  account  of  the  great  plague — a  disease  resem- 
bling cholera,  which  prevailed  in  1665. 

His  father,  perceiving  that  notwithstanding  his  out- 
ward behaviour  had  become  more  polished  from  travel- 

*  Clarkson's  Life. 


WILLIAM    PENK.  181 

ling,  his  serious  turn  of  mind  was  not  altered,  determined 
once  more  to  try  the  effect  of  change  of  scene ;  and  for 
that  purpose,  sent  him  to  Ireland :  but  it  happened  that 
here  William  Penn  met  again  that  same  Thomas  Loe, 
whose  preaching  had  so  much  affected  him  at  Oxford, 
and  it  now  made  a  deeper  impression  upon  him  than 
before ;  so  that  from  that  time,  he  not  only  became 
attached  to  the  society  of  Quakers,  but  its  warm  de- 
fender ;  at  the  cost  of  liberty  and  persecution,  on  several 
occasions,  as  will  appear  hereafter. 

The  rumour  of  his  having  united  himself  to  a  sect,  at 
that  time  greatly  despised,  soon  reached  his  father,  who 
sent  for  him  home ;  and,  in  a  short  time,  perceived  that 
the  report  was  well  founded.  The  scene  that  passed 
between  them  on  this  occasion  was  very  affecting.  His 
father  used  every  argument  he  could  suggest,  to  prevail 
with  him  to  abandon  his  purpose;  whilst  he,  no  less 
afflicted  that  he  could  not  comply  with  the  wish  of  his 
fond  parent,  without  disobedience  to  the  commands  of 
his  Heavenly  Father,  kept  firm  to  his  principles. 

The  Admiral,  finding  persuasion  fruitless,  from  that 
time  gave  up  all  expectation  of  altering  the  general 
views  of  his  son ;  but  entreated  him  to  abandon  a  few 
particularities,  which  he  supposed  to  be  of  no  conse- 
quence— such  as  wearing  his  hat  in  company,  and  using 
what  is  called  the  plain  language.  Upon  his  conscien- 
tious refusal,  the  admiral  once  more  turned  him  out  of 
doors. 

Having   no  independent  fortune,   and    being   unac- 


182  WILLIAM    PENN. 

quainted  with  any  trade  or  profession,  this  event  reduced 
Penn  to  a  state  of  want;  but,  by  the  kindness  of  his 
mother  and  some  other  friends,  his  necessities  were  sup- 
plied. 

In  1668,  he  appeared  in  the  important  character  of  a 
preacher  of  the  gospel  amongst  the  Quakers,  and  pub- 
lished some  works  which  gave  such  offence  to  the 
Bishop  of  London,  that  Penn  was  soon  after  committed 
to  the  state  prison  called  the  Tower. 

During  his  confinement,  he  was  treated  with  great 
severity.  No  privation  that  they  inflicted  on  him  was, 
however,  able  to  shake  his  constancy.  Whilst  in  the 
Tower,  his  active  spirit  could  not  remain  idle :  he  there 
employed  his  pen  for  the  instruction  of  mankind,  and 
wrote  that  valuable  work,  called  "  No  Cross  No  Crown." 

After  remaining  seven  months  in  the  Tower,  he  was 
suddenly  released  by  an  order  from  the  king,  who  was 
persuaded  to  that  measure  by  his  brother,  the  Duke  of 
York,  the  personal  friend  of  Admiral  Penn. 


On  regaining  his  liberty,  Penn  attended  the  death- 
bed of  his  beloved  instructor,  Thomas  Loe,  and  received 
from  him  his  dying  exhortation,  in  these  words :  "  Bear 
thy  cross,  and  stand  faithful  to  God ;  then  he  will  give 
thee  an  everlasting  crown  of  glory  that  shall  not  be 
taken  from  thee.  There  is  no  other  way  that  shall 
prosper,  than  that  which  the  holy  men  of  old  walked 


WILLIAM    PENtf.  183 

His  father  began  now  to  relent,  and  suffered  him  to 
go  to  Ireland,  to  transact  some  business  upon  his  ac- 
count ;  where  he  employed  much  of  his  leisure  in  visiting 
and  consoling  some  of  his  poor  brethren,  who  were 
imprisoned  on  account  of  their  religious  principles.  Nor 
was  he  satisfied  with  these  acts  of  mercy ;  but  used  his 
utmost  exertions  with  the  Lord  Lieutenant  to  procure 
their  release,  which  he  effected.  On  his  return  to  Eng- 
land, his  father  became  fully  reconciled,  and  ever  after 
seemed  to  estimate  his  virtues  as  they  deserved. 

Though  yet  a  very  young  man,  great  part  of  his  time 
was  spent  in  religious  and  controversial  writings,  whether 
at  liberty  or  in  prison,  wThere  he  was  repeatedly  confined 
on  account  of  his  principles;  the  Quakers  being  at  that 
time  a  persecuted  sect,  because  they  refused  to  worship 
after  the  forms  of  the  Episcopal  Church.  He  was  once 
committed  to  Newgate  for  preaching  in  one  of  their 
assemblies ;  and  underwent  a  very  remarkable  trial,  in 
which  he  boldly  asserted  the  injustice  of  the  measure, 
and  nobly  defended  the  right  that  every  man  has  to 
worship  God  according  to  the  dictates  of  his  conscience. 

He  was  now  called  to  witness  the  affecting  scene  of 
his  father's  death,  whose  health  had  been  some  time  on 
the  decline. 

By  this  event,  which  happened  when  he  was  about 
twenty-five  years  old,  William  Penn  inherited  an  estate 
worth  fifteen  hundred  a  year :  which  was  equal  to  a  much 
larger  sum  in  the  present  day.  When  he  was  about 
twenty-eight,  he  married  Gulielma  Maria  Springett,  a 


184  WILLIAM    PENN. 

woman  whose  amiable  disposition  of  mind  equalled  the 
loveliness  of  her  person. 

At  this  period  of  his  life,  Penn  was  ardently  engaged 
as  a  travelling  preacher,  and  in  maintaining  the  liberty 
of  all  men  to  worship  as  they  chose.  Not  satisfied  with 
his  exertions  in  England,  he  undertook  a  religious  visit 
to  Holland  and  Germany.  Having  spent  some  time  on 
the  continent,  and  impressed  the  minds  of  many  with 
just  sentiments  of  the  necessity  of  a  holy  life,  he  returned 
to  England.    - 


The  government  owed  his  father  a  considerable  sum 
of  money,  in  lieu  of  which  Penn  petitioned  Charles  the 
Second  to  give  him  a  grant  of  land  in  North  America  ; 
with  the  glorious  design  of  rendering  a  community 
of  his  fellow-creatures  free  and  happy,  both  in  their  civil 
and  religious  capacity,  which  is  in  truth  perfectly  con- 
sistent with  good  order  in  society.- 

After  some  opposition,  on  account  of  his  being  a 
Quaker,  he  gained  his  petition,  and  was  appointed  full 
and  absolute  proprietor  and  governor  of  the  tract  of  land 
he  had  solicited,  which,  in  spite  of  his  modest  refusal,  re- 
ceived the  name  of  Pennsylvania,  by  order  of  the  king, 
in  honour  of  his  father. 

We  now  behold  him  in  the  new  character  of  a  legis- 
lator, in  which  he  was  conspicuous  for  wisdom,  and 
regard  to  the  good  of  those  he  governed.  The  acquisi- 
tion of  Pennsylvania  obliged  him  to  resign  the  manage- 


WILLIAM    PENN.  185 

ment  of  New  Jersey,  with  the  affairs  of  which  he  had 
previously  been  intrusted,  and  which  he  had  put  into  so 
good  a  train  that  his  loss  was  less  felt. 

He  had  established  there  about  fourteen  hundred 
settlers,  most  of  them  people  of  excellent  character.  A 
wild  waste  had  been  converted  into  farms ;  roads  had 
been  formed,  and  places  of  worship  had  been  erected ; 
instead  of  tents  covered  with  sail-cloth,  under  which  the 
first  settlers  assembled.  The  town  of  Burlington  had 
been  built,  and  a  respectable  magistracy  established. 

After  publishing  some  account  of  the  province  of 
Pennsylvania,  and  the  terms  upon  which  land  might  be 
obtained  there,  he  was  careful  to  make  the  Indians 
understand  that  they  should  be  treated  with  justice  and 
candour;  and  that  if  any  man  should  offer  any  injury 
towards  an  Indian,  he  should  suffer  the  same  penalty  of 
the  law  as  if  he  had  committed  it  against  his  fellow- 
planter  :  that  all  differences  between  planters  and  Indians 
should  be  determined  by  a  jury  of  twelve  men,  composed 
of  six  planters  and  six  Indians. 

How  noble  does  this  conduct  in  William  Penn  appear, 
when  contrasted  with  most  of  the  navigators  and  adven- 
turers of  that  day;  who  seemed  to  discover  unknown 
regions,  only  for  the  purpose  of  trampling  upon  the  in- 
habitants, and  treating  them  like  the  beasts  of  the  field ! 

In  framing  the  political  constitution  of  his  government, 
he  established  entire  liberty  of  conscience:  declaring, 
that  in  reverence  to  God,  the  Father  of  light  and  spirits, 
the  Author  as  well  as  object  of  divine  knowledge,  he 


186  WILLIAM    PENN. 

gave  to  every  one  free  liberty  to  worship  him  according 
to  the  dictates  of  his  conscience,  provided  he  did  not  use 
this  liberty  to  speak  profanely  of  God,  Christ,  or  the  Holy 
Scriptures. 


Having  published  his  system  of  government,  he  began 
to  make  preparations  for  going  to  Pennsylvania.  Before 
his  departure  he  drew  up  a  most  affectionate  letter,  for 
the  direction  of  his  wife,  and  the  conduct  of  his  children, 
which,  for  its  excellence*  deserves  to  be  hung  up  in  every 
family,  as  a  sort  of  sacred  code  for  its  internal  govern- 
ment.    The  following  is  part  of  that  excellent  letter : 

My  dear  Wife  and  Children, 

My  love,  which  neither  sea  nor  land,  nor  death  itself, 
can. extinguish  or  lessen  towards  you,  most  endearedly 
visits  you  with  eternal  embraces,  and  will  abide  with  you 
forever :  and  may  the  God  of  my  life  watch  over  you, 
and  bless  you,  and  do  you  good  in  this  world  and  for- 
ever !  Some  things  are  upon  my  spirit  to  leave  with  you 
in  your  respective  capacities,  as  I  am  to  one  a  husband, 
and  to  the  rest  a  father,  if  I  should  never  see  you  more 
in  this  world. 

My  dear  wife !  Remember  thou  wast  the  love  of  my 
youth,  and  much  the  joy  of  my  life,  the  most  beloved,  as 
well  as  most  worthy  of  all  my  earthly  comforts :  and  the 
reason  of  that  love  was  more  thy  inward  than  thy  out- 
ward excellencies,  which  yet  were  many.   Now  I  am  to 


WILLIAM    PENN.  187 

leave  thee,  and  that  without  knowing  whether  I  shall 
ever  see  thee  more  in  this  world,  take  my  counsel  into 
thy  bosom,  and  let  it  dwell  with  thee  in  my  stead  while 
thou  livest. 

Let  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  and  a  zeal  and  love  to  his 
glory,  dwell  richly  in  thy  heart ;  and  thou  wilt  watch  for 
good  over  thyself,  and  thy  dear  children  and  family,  that 
no  rude,  light,  or  bad  thing  be  committed :  else  God  will 
be  offended,  and  he  will  repent  himself  of  the  good  he 
intends  thee  and  thine. 

Be  diligent  in  meetings  for  worship  and  discipline ;  stir 
up  thyself  and  others  herein ;  it  is  thy  duty  and  place ; 
and  let  meetings  be  kept  once  a  day  in  the  family  to 
wait  upon  the  Lord,  who  has  given  us  much  time  for 
ourselves ;  and,  my  dearest,  to  make  thy  family  matters 
easy  to  thee,  divide  thy  time  and  be  regular :  it  is  easy 
and  sweet;  the  time  for  work,  for  walking,  for  meals 
should  be  fixed,  at  least  as  near. as  may  be. 

Cast  up  thy  income,  and  see  what  it  daily  amounts  to; 
by  which  thou  mayest  be  sure  to  have  it  in  thy  sight  and 
power,  to  keep  within  compass :  and  I  beseech  thee  to 
live  low  and  sparingly,  till  my  debts  are  paid,  and  then 
enlarge  as  thou  seest  it  convenient.  I  know  thou  lovest 
plain  things,  and  art  averse  to  the  pomps  of  the  world ; 
a  nobility  natural  to  thee. 

And  now,  my  dearest,  let  me  recommend  to  thy  care, 
my  dear  children.  Above  all  things,  endeavour  to  bring 
them  up  in  the  love  of  virtue,  and  that  holy  plain  way 
of  it  which  we  have  lived  in,  that  the  world  in  no  part 


188  WILLIAM    PENN. 

of  it  get  into  my  family.  I  had  rather  they  were  homely 
than  finely  bred,  as  to  outward  behaviour;  yet  I  love 
sweetness  mixed  with  gravity,  and.  cheerfulness  tempered 
with  sobriety.  Religion  in  the  heart,  leads  into  this  true 
civility,  teaching  men  and  women  to  be  mild  and  cour- 
teous in  their  behaviour,  an  accomplishment  worthy  in- 
deed of  praise. 

Next,  teach  them  to  love  one  another ;  tell  them  it  is 
the  charge  I  left  behind  me ;  and  that  it  is  the  way  to 
have  the  love  and  blessing  of  God  upon. them ;  also,  what 
his  portion  is,  who  hates  or  calls  his  brother  fool.  Some- 
times separate  them,  but  not  long;  and  allow  them  to 
send  and  give  eaph  other  small  things,  to  endear  one 
another  with. 

Once  more,  I  say,  tell  them,  it  was  my  counsel  they 
should  be  tender  and  affectionate  one  to  another.  For 
their  learning,  be  liberal.  Spare  no  cost,  for  by  such 
parsimony,  all  is  lost  that  is  saved ;  but  let  it  be  useful 
knowledge,  such  as  is  consistent  with  truth  and  godliness, 
not  cherishing  a  vain  conversation  or  idle  mind ;  but  in- 
genuity mixed  with  industry,  is  good  for  the  body  and 
mind  too. 

I  recommend  the  useful  parts  of  mathematics,  as  build- 
ing houses  or  ships,  measuring,  surveying,  dialling,  navi- 
gation :  but  agriculture  is  especially  in  my  eye.  Let  my 
children  be  husbandmen  and  housewives ;  like  Abraham 
and  the  holy  Ancients,  who  pleased  God  and  obtained  a 
good  report.  Such  employment  is  industrious,  healthy, 
honest,  and  of  good  example.     It  leads  to  consider  the 


WILLIAM    PENN.  189 

works  of  God  and  nature,  things  that  are  good;  and 
diverts  the  mind  from  being  taken  up  with  the  vain  arts 
and  inventions  of  a  luxurious  world. 

Inculcate  obedience  to  thee,  their  dear  mother,  and 
that  not  for  wrath,  but  for  conscience  sake  ;  liberal  to  the 
poor,  pitiful  to  the  miserable,  humble  and  kind  to  all. 
And  may  my  God  make  thee  a  blessing,  and  give  thee 
comfort  in  our  dear  children ;  and  in  age,  gather  thee  to 
the  joy  and  blessedness  of  the  just  (where  no  death  shall 
separate  us)  for  ever ! 

And  now,  my  dear  children,  who  are  the  gifts  of  the 
God  of  your  tender  father,  hear  my  counsel,  and  lay  it 
up  in  your  hearts ;  love  it  more  than  treasure ;  and  follow 
it,  and  you  shall  be  blessed  here  and  happy  hereafter.  In 
the  first  place,  remember  your  Creator  in  the  days  of 
your  youth.  O  my  dear  children,  remember  and  fear, 
and  serve  him  who  made  you,  and  gave  you  to  me  and 
your  dear  mother,  that  you  may  live  to  him,  and  glorify 
him  in  your  generation  ! 

To  do  this  in  your  youthful  days,  seek  after  the  Lord, 
that  you  may  find  him ;  remembering  his  great  love  in 
creating  you ;  that  you  are  not  beasts,  plants  or  stones, 
but  that  he  has  kept  you,  and  given  you  his  grace  within, 
and  substance  without,  and  provided  plentifully  for  you. 
This  remember  in  your  youth,  that  you  may  be  kept 
from  the  evil  of  the  world ;  for,  in  age,  it  will  be  harder 
to  overcome  the  temptations  of  it. 

Wherefore,  my  dear  children,  eschew  the  appearance 
of  evil,  and  love  and  cleave  to  that  in  your  hearts,  which 


190  WILLIAM    PENN. 

shows  you  evil  from  good,  and  tells  you  when  you  do 
amiss,  and  reproves  you  for  it.  It  is  the  light  of  Christ, 
that  he  has  given  you  for  your  salvation.  If  you  do 
this,  and  follow  my  counsel,  God  will  bless  you  in  this 
world,  and  give  you  an  inheritance  in  that  which  shall 
never  have  an  end. 

You  are  now  beginning  to  live. — What  would  some 
give  for  your  time?.  Oh !  I  could  have  lived  better,  were 
I,  as  you,  in  the  flower  of  youth. — Therefore,  love  and 
fear  the  Lord,  attend  meetings  of  worship,  and  delight 
to  wait  on  the  Lord  God  of  your  father  and  mother, 
among  his  people,  as  we  have  done ;  and  count  it  your 
honour  to  be  members  of  that  Society,  and  heirs  of  that 
living  fellowship  which  is  enjoyed  among  them  ;  for  the 
experience  of  which  your  father's  soul  blesseth  the  Lord 
forever. 

Next:  be  obedient  to  your  dear  mother,  a  woman 
wrhose  virtue  and  good  name  is  an  honour  to  you ;  for 
she  has  been  exceeded  by  none  in  her  time  for  her  plain- 
ness, integrity,  industry,  humanity,  virtue,  and  good  un- 
derstanding; therefore,  honour  and  obey  her,  my  dear 
children,  as  your  mother,  and  your  father's  love  and 
delight. 

Betake  yourselves  to  some  honest  industrious  course 
of  life,  and  that  not  of  sordid  covetousness,  but  for  ex- 
ample, and  to  avoid  idleness.  And  if  you  change  your 
condition  and  marry,  choose  with  the  knowledge  and 
consent  of  your  mother,  if  living,  or  of  guardians,  or 
those  who  have  the  charge  of  you.  Mind  neither  beauty 


WILLIAM    PENN.  191 

nor  riches,  but  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  and  a  sweet  and 
amiable  disposition ;  such  as  you  can  love  above  all  this 
world,  and  that  may  make  your  habitations  pleasant  and 
desirable  to  you. 

I  charge  you  to  help  the  poor  and  needy ;  let  the  Lord 
have  a  voluntary  share  of  your  income,  for  the  good  of 
the  poor,  both  in  our  Society  and  others ;  for  we  are  all 
his  creatures ;  remembering  that,  "  he  that  giveth  to  the 
poor  lendeth  to  the  Lord." 

Be  humble  and  gentle  in  your  conversation,  of  few 
words,  I  charge  you:  but  always  pertinent  when  you 
speak,  hearing  out  before  you  attempt  to  answer,  and 
then  speaking  as  if  you  would  persuade,  not  impose. 
Affront  none,  neither  revenge  the  affronts  that  are  done 
to  you ;  but  forgive,  and  you  shall  be  forgiven  of  your 
Heavenly  Father. 

In  making  friends,  consider  well  first ;  and  when  you 
are  fixed,  be  true,  not  wavering  by  reports,  nor  deserting 
in  affliction,  for  that  becomes  not  the  good  and  the  virtu- 
ous.— Watch  against  anger,  neither  speak  nor  act  in  it : 
for,  like  drunkenness,  it  makes  a  man  a  beast,  and  throws 
people  into  many  inconveniencies. 

The  virtuous,  though  poor,  love,  cherish,  and  prefer. 
Remember  that  David,  asking  the  Lord,  Who  shall  abide 
in  thy  tabernacle  1  who  shall  dwell  upon  thy  holy  hill  ? 
answers,  He  that  walketh  uprightly,  worketh  righteous- 
ness, and  speaketh  the  truth  in  his  heart ;  in  whose  eyes 
the  vile  person  is  contemned,  but  who  honoureth  them 
who  fear  the  Lord.     My  children,  be  temperate  in  all 


192  WILLIAM    PENN. 

things :  in  your  diet,  for  that  is  physic  by  prevention ;  it 
keeps,  nay,  it  makes  people  healthy. 

Be- also  plain  in  your  apparel.  Let  your  virtues  be 
your  ornaments;  remembering  life  is  more  than  food, 
and  the  body  than  raiment.  Let  your  furniture  be  simple 
and  cheap.  Avoid  pride,  avarice  and  luxury.  Read  my 
"  No  Cross  no  Crown."  There  is  instruction ! 

Make  your  conversation  with  the  most  eminent  for 
wisdom  and  piety ;  and  shun  all  wicked  men  as  you  hope 
for  the  blessing  of  God,  and  the  comfort  of  your  father's 
living  and  dying  prayers.  Be  sure  you  speak  no  evil  of 
any,  no,  not  of  the  meanest ;  much  less  of  your  supe- 
riors, as  magistrates,  guardians,  tutors,  teachers,  and 
elders  in  Christ. 

And  as  for  you,  who  are  likely  to  be  concerned  in  the 
government  of  Pennsylvania,  and  my  parts  of  East  Jer- 
sey, especially  the  first,  I  do  charge  you,  before  the  Lord 
God  and  his  Holy  Angels,  that  you  be  lowly,  diligent  and 
tender ;  fearing  God,  and  loving  the  people,  and  hating 
covetousness.  Let  Justice  have  its  impartial  course,  and 
the  law  free  passage.  Though  to  your  loss,  protect  no 
man  against  it ;  for  you  are  not  above  the  law,  but  the 
law  above  you. 

If  you  thus  behave  yourselves,  and  so  become  a  terror 
to  evil  doers,  and  a  praise  to  them  that  do  well,  God,  my 
God,  will  be  with  you  in  wisdom  and  a  sound  mind,  and 
make  you  blessed  Instruments  in  His  hand,  for  the  settle- 
ment of  some  of  those  desolate  parts  of  the  world ;  and 
this  my  soul  desires,  above  all  worldly  honours  and 


WILLIAM    PENN.  193 

riches,  both  for  you  that  go  and  you  that  stay ;  you  that 
govern,  and  you  that  are  governed ;  that  in  the  end  you 
may  be  gathered,  with  me,  to  the  rest  of  God. 

Finally,  my  children,  love  one  another,  with  a  true 
endeared  love,  and  your  dear  relations  on  both  sides. 

So  my  God  who  hath  blessed  me  with  his  abundant 
mercies,  both  of  this  and  the  other  and  better  life,  be 
with,  you  all,  guide  you  by  his  counsel,  bless  you,  and 
bring  you  to  his  eternal  glory !  So  farewell  to  my  thrice 
dearly  beloved  wife  and  children  ! 

Yours,  as  God  pleaseth,  in  that  which  no  waters  can  quench,  no 
time  impair,  nor  distance  wear  away,  but  remains  forever. 

WILLIAM  PENN. 

Worminghurst,  kth  of  ) 
6th  Month,  1682.       S 

Having  settled  his  affairs,  he  embarked  on  board  the 
Welcome,  with  about  a  hundred  passengers,  for  America,, 
and  arrived  safely  on  the  shores  of  the  Delaware  River, 
where  he  was  received  by  the  settlers  with  every  demon- 
stration of  satisfaction.  One  of  his  earliest  cares  was 
forming  his  frame  of  government,  in  wThich  were  some 
remarkable  clauses,  particularly  that  of  universal  tolera- 
tion to  those  of  every  denomination  who  believed  in  God 
and  Jesus  Christ.  He  enacted  that  all  children  of  the  age 
of  twelve,  should  be  taught  some  useful  trade,  that  none 
might  be  idle  in  his  province :  and,  above  all,  he  made  no 
crime  capital  but  murder  and  treason ;  and  by  his  regu- 

13 


194  WILLIAM    PENN. 

lations  of  prisons,  provided  more  for  the  reformation  than 
for  the  punishment  of  offenders. 

The  following  interesting  account  of  this  celebrated 
Treaty,  is  taken  from  the  Philadelphia  Freeman's  Jour- 
nal, June  29th,  1820. 

"  After  having  visited  Lord  Baltimore,  in  Maryland, 
Penn  returned  to  Chester,  where  he  began  to  prepare  for 
his  interview  with  the  natives.  The  King's  grant  was 
not  in  his  mind  sufficient  authority  for  taking  possession 
of  the  country,  without  having  agreed  with  the  natives, 
paying  them  a  valuable  consideration.  To  effect  this 
arrangement,  preparations  were  made  in  the  most  solemn 
manner ;  and  on  or  about  the  4th  of  December,  he  pro- 
ceeded up  the  river  with  his  unarmed  flotilla,  and  unarmed 
followers,  consisting  of  men,  women,  youths  and  children, 
of  both  sexes. 

"  On  coming  abreast  of  Coaquannoc,  now  Philadelphia, 
the  shore  was  seen  covered  with  the  native  tribes  and 
» their  Sachems  or  chiefs,  as  far  as  the  eye  could  reach. 
At  sight  of  this,  the  hearts  of  his  party  sunk  within  them; 
but  encouraged  by  Penn,  they  continued  to  advance,  and 
came  to  off  Shakkmacon,  now  Kensington,  where  they 
landed.  Perceiving  an  elm  tree  of  an  uncommon  size, 
the  party  approached  it.  Penn  was  dressed  in  his  usual 
plain  clothes,  with  the  addition  of  a  scarf  of  sky-blue 
silk  around  his  middle,  and  supported  by  Col.  Markham 
on  his  right,  and  his  friend  Pearson  on  his  left,  he 
approached,  followed  by  the  whole  train  of  men,  women 
and  children.     He  explained  his  object  and  intentions, 


WILLIAM    PEWIT.  195 

adding,  that  *  he  would  not  call  them  children,  because 
parents  often  whip  children;  he  would  not  call  them 
brothers,  because  brothers  often  quarrelled,  but  he  would 
call  them  bone  of  his  bone,  and  flesh  of  his  flesh,  and 
behave  to  them  accordingly.'  He  then  presented  to  them 
the  roll  of  parchment  containing  the  treaty,  which  he 
held  in  his  hand,  and  desiring  that  they  would  keep  it 
for  three  generations,  that  their  children  might  be  made 
acquainted  with  its  contents ;  he  paid  them  the  consider- 
ation for  their  land  in  sundry  goods,  giving  them  many 
presents  besides. 

"  The  Indians  consented  implicitly,  on  their  part,  to 
every  condition  of  the  treaty,  wishing  that  « they  might 
live  in  love  with  William  Penn,  (Brother  Onas)*  and  Ins 
children,  as  long  as  the  Sun  and  Moon  should  endure.' 
1  This,'  says  Voltaire,  *  was  the  first  treaty  made  between 
those  people  and  the  Christians,  that  was  not  ratified 
with  an  oath,  and  that  was  never  broken !'  The  treats- 
was  shown  to  General  Keith  in  1722,  at  a  talk  held  by 
the  Mingoe,  Shawanese,  and  other  tribes,  but  no  copy 
now  remains  of  it." 


Penn  was  now  at  leisure  to  choose  a  commodious 
spot  for  his  new  city,  which  he  did,  situated  between  two 
navigable  rivers,  the  Schuylkill  and  the  Delaware,  and 
to  form  a  plan  for  its  elevation,  which  was  remarkable 

*  Onas  is  the  Indian  appellation  for  Penn. 


196  WILLIAM    PENN. 

for  its  regularity  and  convenience.  In  the  centre  there 
was  to  be  a  square  of  ten  acres,  and  another  of  eight 
in  each  quarter  of  the  city,  for  the  accommodation  of 
the  citizens;  and,  as  a  token  of  good  will  to  all  his 
neighbours,  he  named  it  Philadelphia,  which  signifies 
brotherly  love. 

The  fame  of  his  excellent  government,  and  the  fertility 
of  the  country,  soon  reached  Europe,  and  induced  great 
numbers  to  go  over  and  settle  in  the  province  of  Penn- 
sylvania, most  of  whom  were  persons  of  excellent  cha- 
racter and  moral  life ;  so  that  the  colony  was  in  a  very 
short  time  in  a  most  flourishing  condition. 

It  seems  to  have  given  great  satisfaction  to  its  founder ; 
for  in  a  letter  to  a  friend,  he  says,  "As  to  outward 
things,  we  are  satisfied ;  the  land  is  good,  the  air  clear 
and  sweet,  the  springs  plentiful,  and  provisions  good  and 
easy  to  come  at ;  an  innumerable  quantity  of  wild  fowl 
and  fish :  in  fine,  there  is  what  an  Abraham,  Isaac  and 
Jacob  could  be  well  contented  with ;  and  service  enough 
for  God,  for  the  fields  are  here  white  for  harvest.  Oh, 
how  sweet  is  the  quiet  of  these  parts !  freed  from  the 
anxious  and  troublesome  solicitations,  hurries,  and  per- 
plexities, of  woful  Europe !" 

From  this  it  appears  that  his  mode  of  living  in  America 
wTas  as  agreeable  to  himself,  as  it  was  highly  beneficial 
to  the  surrounding  settlements,  the  neighbouring  Indians, 
and  his  own  colony. 

He  exerted  the  faculties  of  his  comprehensive  mind, 
in  doing  good  to  all  around  him.     He  neither  spared  his 


WILLIAM    PENN.  197 

health  nor  his  labour  in  regulating  the  internal  manage- 
ment of  his  own  government,  adjusting  all  differences  in 
the  other  settlements ;  and  in  instructing  and  civilizing 
the  poor  Indians,  who,  unused  to  such  kind  treatment, 
loved  him  like  a  father,  and  still  venerate  every  one  who 
wears  the  same  garb. 

Interested  as  he  was  in  promoting  the  general  welfare, 
he  was  induced,  by  the  same  noble  desire  of  doing  good 
to  others,  to  entrust  the  management  of  Pennsylvania, 
for  a  time,  to  those  in  whom  he  confided  for  integrity 
and  ability,  whilst  he  returned  to  his  native  country ;  for, 
having  heard  that  the  members  of  his  own  society,  with 
other  dissenters,  suffered  grievous  persecution  in  England, 
he  trusted  that  by  his  interest  with  the  king,  James  the 
Second,  he  should  be  likely  to  procure  them  permanent 
relief. 

Accordingly  he  undertook  the  voyage,  and  by  perse- 
verance, so  opened  the  mind  of  the  king,  who,  though  a 
Catholic,  was  well  inclined  to  religious  freedom,  that  he 
procured  an  act  in  their  favour;  and  numbers  were  re- 
leased from  prison  and  loathsome  dungeons,  who  had 
been  long  confined  on  account  of  their  religious  prin- 
ciples. 

The  earnest  desire  he  felt  of  communicating  to  others 
the  unspeakable  benefits  of  true  religion,  which  he  him- 
self experienced,  impelled  him  to  revisit  Holland  and 
Germany,  with  that  design,  as  also  many  parts  of  Eng- 
land, and  his  labours  were  crowned  with  great  success. 
.    Owing  to  his  intimacy  with  the  King,  and  the  influence 


198  WILLIAM    PENN". 

he  had  over  him,  Penn  was  suspected  of  being  a  Catholic, 
and  was  accused,  more  than  once,  by  vile  informers,  of 
intermeddling  with  state  affairs ;  particularly  of  holding 
a  correspondence  with  James  the  Second,  after  king 
William  had  been  called  to  the  throne. 

These  circumstances,  combined  with  accounts  from 
America,  of  disorders  caused  by  his  absence,  involved 
him  in  great  trouble.  He  was  obliged  to  retire  to  a  place 
of  concealment,  on  account  of  these  persecutions,  and, 
to  complete  his  misfortunes,  in  consequence  of  misrepre- 
sentations to  king  William,  he  was  deprived  of  the 
government  of  Pennsylvania. 

Under  such  an  accumulation  of  sorrow,  many  men 
would  have  sunk  into  despair ;  disappointed  of  the  fond 
hopes  of  giving  a  pattern  to  the  world  of  an  excellent 
form  of  government,  and  of  its  effects  in  rendering  a 
people  happy  and  virtuous. 


Fallen  from  the  high  situation  of  Governor  of  a  pro- 
vince, to  that  of  a  persecuted  exile,  his  fortune  diminished, 
his  reputation  tarnished,  his  wife's  health  broken  down 
by  partaking  his  sorrows,  he  seemed  to  be  deprived  of 
every  human  .consolation ;  but  he  had  a  support  in  an 
unshaken  confidence  in  the  Divine  government,  of  which 
the  world  could  not  deprive  him. 

After  remaining  some  time  in  retirement,  some  persons 
of  high  rank  interfered  in  his  behalf,  and  he  was  allowed 
to  justify  himself  to  the  king.  About  this  time  he  lost  his 


WILLIAM    PENN.  199 

excellent  wife,  whose  resignation  and  peaceful  end  were 
a  consolation  in  the  midst  of  his  sorrow. 

He  received  accounts  from  America  which  gave  him 
much  uneasiness.  The  new  Governor,  Colonel  Fletcher, 
was  a  military  man,  and  had  notions  of  government 
utterly  repugnant  to  the  peaceful  system  of  William  Penn, 
who  kept  no  soldiers,  and  on  no  account  would  make 
war  with  any  people,  choosing  to  settle  all  quarrels  with- 
out fighting.  Many  of  Fletcher's  proceedings  were 
extremely  obnoxious  to  the  people,  the  greater  part  of 
whom  were  Quakers. 

•  Discontents  prevailed  so  greatly  in  the  province,  that 
the  superior  excellence  of  William  Penn's  superintendence 
was  perceived  by  the  king,  who  became  aware  of  the 
propriety  of  restoring  him  to  his  former  situation.  Accord- 
ingly he  was  again  appointed  to  the  government  of  Penn- 
sylvania, and  by  that  measure  once  more  enabled  to  exert 
his  talents  in  the  public  service. 

About  this  time  he  undertook  •  several  journeys  into 
different  parts  of  England  and  Ireland,  in  order  to  diffuse 
those  religious  truths,  which  he  deemed  important  to  the 
happiness  of  man. 

Finding  his  home  solitary  and  comfortless,  after  the 
death  of  his  wife,  the  proper  time  having  elapsed,  he 
determined  upon  a  second  engagement,  and  married 
Hannah  Callowhill,  whose  excellent  qualities  had  gained 
his  esteem;  but  scarcely  did  his  domestic  prospects 
brighten  from  this  event,  before  he  suffered  a  heavy 
affliction  in  the  loss  of  his  eldest  son,  who  was  a  most 


200  WILLIAM    PENN. 

amiable  youth.  William  Perm  was  too  pious  to  murmur 
at  the  dispensations  of  Providence ;  but  the  loss  of  this 
promising  young  man  was  one  of  the  deepest  sorrows  he 
ever  experienced. 


The  affairs  of  his  province  standing  in  great  need  of 
Penn's  paternal  attention,  he  determined  to  return  to 
America;  and  having  made  every  necessary  prepara- 
tion for  leaving  his  native  country,  he  embarked  with  his 
wife  and  family,  and  after  a  passage  of  three  months, 
arrived  safely  in  the  river  Delaware,  where  he  was  re- 
ceived with  every  demonstration  of  satisfaction.  His 
first  object  was  to  convene  the  Assembly,  and  arrange 
the  discordant  affairs  of  the  public ;  though  matters  of 
inferior  consequence  occasionally  engaged  his  attention, 
and  he  visited  different  parts  of  the  country,  as  his  pre- 
sence was  required. 

A  beautiful  anecdote  is  related  of  him,  when  in  one 
of  these  excursions.  He  was  at  a  place  called  Merion, 
where  he  passed  one  night :  a  boy,  about  twelve  years 
old,  son  of  the  person  at  whose  house  he  lodged,  being  a 
lad  of  curiosity,  and  not  often,  seeing  such  a  guest  as 
William  Penn,  privately  crept  to  the  chamber  door  up  a 
fligh't  of  steps  on  the  outside  of  the  building.  On  peeping 
through  the  latchet-hole,  he  was  struck  with  awe,  in 
beholding  this  great  man  upon  his  knees  by  the  bed-side, 
and  in  hearing  what  he  said ;  for  he  could  distinctly  hear 


WILLIAM    PENN.  201 

him  in  prayer  and  thanksgiving,  that  he  was  then  pro- 
vided for  in  the  wilderness.  This  circumstance  made  an 
impression  upon  the  lad's  mind,  which  was  not  effaced  in 
old  age. 

Amongst  the  many  instances  of  the  humanity  of  his 
character,  we  must  reckon  his  attention  to  the  instruction 
and  civilization  of  the  Indians ;  and  the  same  care  extend- 
ed to  the  poor  neglected  Africans,  who  were  employed 
at  that  time  as  slaves  in  the  province.  It  was  not  then 
deemed  infamous  to  traffic  in  slaves;  but  some  of  the 
Quakers,  at  their  yearly  meeting  for  Pennsylvania,  held 
in  1688,  perceived  its  iniquity,  and  resolved  that  the 
buying,  selling,  and  holding  men  in  slavery,  was  incon- 
sistent with  the  tenets  of  the  Christian  religion ;  and  in 
consequence  of  these  opinions,  had  begun  to  treat  their 
slaves  as  the  children  of  the  Universal  Parent,  and  joint- 
heirs  of  the  same  hopes  of  a  glorious  immortality.    ' 

He  took  frequent  opportunities  of  visiting  the  Indians ; 
and  on  one  of  these  excursions,  he  was  present  at  an 
Indian  feast,  which  took  place  near  a  beautiful  spring  of 
water,  overhung  by  the  branches  of  lofty  trees.  The 
entertainment  consisted  of  plenty  of  venison,  with  hot 
cakes,  made  of  wheat  and  beans!  After  feasting,  the 
Indians  amused  the  company  with  a  dance. 

Sometimes  William  Penn  entertained  these  harmless 
people  at  his  own  house :  if  it  was  on  public  business,  he 
received  them  in  his  hall  of  audience,  seated  in  an  oaken 
armed  chair,  which  served  him  for  a  chair  of  state ;  and 


202  WILLIAM    PENN. 

such  was  the  entire  confidence  of  both  parties,  that  the  * 
generally  parted  highly  satisfied  with  each  other.* 

The  English  government  at  this  time  thought  it  best 
to  take  the  province  of  Pennsylvania  from  the  govern- 
ment of  Penn,  and  make  new  laws  and  appoint  new 
magistrates  there. 

This  intelligence  was  extremely  distressing  to  William 
Penn,  as  he  was  just  beginning  to  enjoy  the  happy  fruits 
of  his  wise  administration,  and  he  would  have  been  glad 
to  have  remained  in  Pennsylvania,  till  he  had  completed 
his  system ;  but  such  was  the  importance  of  this  circum- 
stance, that  he  felt  himself  obliged  to  return  home,  to 
plead  his  cause  before  the  parliament  of  the  parent 
country. 

Having  put  the  business  of  the  province  into  the  best 
order  he  possibly  could,  he  took  leave  of  the  inhabitants 
of  Philadelphia,  in  a  solemn  manner,  and  embarked  the 
next  day  for  England ;  but  he  had  not  been  long  there, 
before  he  found  his  return  unnecessary,  for  the  bill  which 
he  came  over  to  oppose,  was  entirely  dropped. ' 


William  Penn  had  great  interest  with  three  succeed- 
ing princes,  James  the  Second,  William  the  Third,  and 
Queen  Anne.     He  was  one  of  those  few  who  never 

*  "  In  the  Pennsylvania  Hospital  is  preserved  the  old  oaken  chair, 
which  Penn  used  on  state  occasions,  when  he  received  the  Indians 
at  his  country-seat  at  Pennsbury,  in  the  hall  of  which  he  concluded 
no  less  than  three  and  twenty  treaties  with  the  Indians," 


WILLIAM    PENN.  203 

abused  royal  favour  to  bad  purposes ;  but  employed  his 
influence  chiefly  in  procuring  relief  for  the  oppressed, 
and  toleration  for  people  of  every  religious  persuasion. 
It  is  to  be  regretted  that  he  was  prevented  from  ever 
returning  to  America. 

Notwithstanding  Penn's  universal  kindness  to  others, 
he  was  a  melancholy  instance  that  neither  probity  nor 
generosity  can  secure  a  man  from  ingratitude ;  which 
he  experienced  at  different  times,  both  from  the  colonists 
and  others.  He  was  at  this  time  unhappily  involved  in 
a  law-suit  with  the  executors  of  a  person  named  Ford, 
who  had  formerly  been  his  steward. 

This  man,  to  whom  he  had  been  a  valuable  friend, 
availing  himself  of  his  unsuspecting  temper,  had  pre- 
vailed upon  him  to  put  his  name  to  papers,  of  the 
contents  of  which  he  was  not  fully  aware  ;  and,  in  con- 
sequence of  this  circumstance,  he  lost  his  cause;  and 
became  so  embarrassed,  from  this  decision  and  the  large 
sums  that  he  had  expended  on  his  province,  that  he 
was  under  the  painful  necessity  of  residing  within 
the  rules  of  the  Fleet  prison,  till  he  could  retrieve  his 
affairs. 

Advancing  years  and  repeated  troubles  united  to 
break  his  constitution.  His  health  began  visibly  to  de- 
cline. Several  fits  of  apoplexy  weakened  his  frame, 
and  destroyed  his  memory.  He  fell  into  a  state  ap- 
proaching to  childishness.  In  this  affecting  situation,  he 
passed  the  remainder  of  his  time  in  retirement,  at  Ruth- 
combe,  in  Berkshire,  gradually  decaying  for  six  years ; 


204  WILLIAM    PENN. 

and,  on  the  30th  day  of  July,  1718,  in  the  74th  year  of 
his  age,  was  removed  from  the  present  life  to  a  more 
glorious  habitation. 


It  remains  now  to  say  a  few  words  on  the  character 
of  William  Penn,  as  a  public  and  a  private  man,  and  as 
a  Christian.  His  public  conduct  was  founded  entirely 
upon  Christian  principles,  and  he  was  the  most  remark- 
able legislator  of  any  age. 

A  legislator  or  law-maker  renders  the  greatest  possi- 
ble service  to  mankind ;  and  particularly  to  those  of  his 
own  state  or  nation,  if  the  laws  which  he  proposes  be 
just  and  useful:  because  such  laws  secure  the  peace 
and  prosperity  of  large  numbers  of  people  as  long  as 
the^  are  maintained.  ,  .   " 

Moses,  the  Hebrew  lawgiver,  Solon  and  Lycurgus, 
among  the  Greeks,  and  Numa  Pompilius,  the  second 
king  of  Rome,  are  the  most  remarkable  legislators  of 
antiquity :  and  Charlemagne,  Alfred,  and  William  Penn, 
in  more  recent  times,  deserve  as  great  fame.  Penn 
lived  after  the  art  of  printing  had  so  much  increased 
knowledge  among  all  civilised  people,  that  he  was 
better  instructed  than  any  of  the  rest  how  to  govern. 

It  will  be  well  to  compare  his  notions  of  ruling  men 
with  those  of  other  governors  of  his  time.  He  expected 
to  rule  by  love — they  by  fear :  he  expected  to  instruct, 
reform,  and  improve  savage  men  —  they  to  subdue 
them;  to  deprive  them  of  their  property,  and  then  to 


WILLIAM   PEffN.  205 

keep  them  in  order,  and  in  fear  of  their  lives,  by  means 
of  a  military  force. 

Penn  treated  his  subjects  like  his  children,  and  never 
needed  a  sword  to  protect  them  from  savages.  He 
overcame  all  ill-will  between  white  men  and  Indians 
by  the  mutual  benefits  he  persuaded  them  to  inter- 
change. He  abhorred  and  avoided  all  warfare;  re- 
ceiving the  commandment,  "  Thou  shalt  not  kill,"  as  a 
law  from  God  himself — not  to  be  broken  by  great  num- 
bers of  men,  any  more  innocently  than  by  an  indi- 
vidual. 

As  a  private  man,  the  same  wisdom  and  benevolence 
that  marked  his  public  character,  governed  all  his  con- 
duct. During  all  his  life,  he  diligently  cultivated  his  own 
mind.  Whoever  reads  No  Cross  No  Crown,  will  there 
learn  what  extensive  knowledge  of  the  history  of  man- 
kind he  possessed. 

He  was  an  early  riser,  and  a  great  economist  of 
time.  He  avoided  all  idleness  and  all  frivolous  amuse- 
ments ;  doing  every  thing  of  business  or  study  at  fixed 
times.  He  was  a  kind  husband,  a  good  father,  a 
faithful  friend,  and  perfectly  just  in  all  his  dealings. 

Penn's  Christian  character  was  of  the  highest  order. 
"  He  was  a  devout  man,  fearing  God ;"  and  he  had  the 
deepest  compassion  for  the  ignorant  and  the  wicked. 
His  writings — now  collected  in  five  octavo  volumes — 
were  all  of  a  religious  character,  and  all  in  favour  of 
religious  liberty.  He  wished  to  make  prisons  places  of 
reformation   for   criminals;   and   established   numerous 


206  WILLIAM    PENN. 

schools  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  to  cherish  learning  in 
future  generations. 

Religious  liberty  is  the  right  of  all  men — to  worship 
God  in  the  manner  that  pleases  them,  without  being 
hindered  in  doing  so.  During  Penn's  life,  the  English 
government  demanded  of  all  people  in  England,  Scot- 
land, and  Ireland,  to  worship  in  the  Episcopal  form,  and 
to  pay  Episcopal  ministers.  Multitudes,  in  all  these 
countries,  refused  to  do  this ;  and  were  fined,  impri- 
soned, and  sometimes  killed,  for  this  contumacy,  as  it  was 
called. 

Penn  demanded  free  toleration — permission  for  all 
persons  to  worship  as  they  believed  to  be  right ;  and  he 
demanded  this  right  with  the  most  noble  firmness  and 
perseverance.  He  also  taught  what  he  esteemed  to  be 
true  religion  with  the  same  faithfulness,  in  many  books 
which  he  wrote,  and  as  a  preacher. 

Penn  preached  the  gospel  with  the  sincerity  and 
ability  that  he  discharged  every  other  duty.  He  tra- 
velled, as  has  been  related,  as  a  preacher,  into  Ireland, 
Holland,  and  Germany;  and  also  preached  in  England 
and  America,  whenever  he  was  in  either  country.  His 
piety,  public  spirit,  noble  integrity,  independence,  ex- 
alted charity,  and  eminent  private  virtues,  manifested 
under  all  circumstances  in  life,  render  him  one  of  the 
noblest  and  most  extraordinary  examples  of  any  age  and 
country. 


WILLIAM    PElVtf.  207 


QUESTIONS. 

Who  was  William  Perm? — What  caused  Penn  to  be  expelled 
from  college  ? — Did  Admiral  Penn  approve  of  his  son's  sentiments? 
— What  courage  and  generosity  were  exhibited  by  Penn  in  Paris  ? 
— Who  was  Penn's  intimate  friend  in  France  % — What  study  did 
Penn  pursue  ? 

What  established  Penn's  religious  principles? — Did  Admiral 
Penn  remonstrate  with  his  son  ? — Why  did  his  father  turn  William 
Penn  out  of  doors? — Who  relieved  WilJiam  Penn? — How  came 
Penn  to  get  into  'prison  ? — How  did  Penn  conduct  himself  in 
prison? — Who  released  Penn? 

How  did  Thomas  Loe  die  ?■ — Did  Penn  pity  oppressed  Christians  ? 
— Was  Penn  imprisoned  more  than  once  ? — When  did  Penn  lose 
his  father  ?  and  whom  did  he  marry  ? — Did  Penn  confine  his  preach- 
ing to  England  ? 

How  came  Penn  in  possession  of  a  province  in  America? — 
With  what  other  province  was  Penn  concerned  ? — What  was  the 
first  settlement  of  New  Jersey  ? — How  did  Penn  treat  the  Indians  ? 
— Was  Penn's  conduct  better  than  that  of  many  leaders  of  his 
time  ? 

Did  Penn  assert  liberty  of  conscience  ? — Did  Penn  ever  visit  his 
province  ? — To  whom  did  P.  address  an  excellent  letter  ? — Did  P.  ' 
express  much  tenderness  to  his  wife? — Did  P.  urge  religious  cir- 
cumspection upon  his  wife  ? — Did  P.  commend  regularity  in  domes- 
tic affairs  ? — Did  P.  recommend  frugality  in  his  family  ? — Did  P. 
direct  the  discipline  of  his  children  ? — Did  P.  desire  to  see  his 
children  civil  and  obliging  ?— Did  he  cherish  love  among  his  chil- 
dren ? — Was  P.  indifferent  to  learning  ? — What  sciences  and  em- 
ployments did  P.  recommend  ? — Did  P.  urge  respect  to  parents  ? 

Did  Penn  command  his  children  to  seek  religion  early  ? — What 
motives  to  piety  did  P.  inculcate? — Did  P.  advise  to  avoid  all 
appearance  of  wrong-doing? — Did  P.  admonish  his  children  to 
attend  public  worship  ? — Did  P.  commend  his  wife  to  her  children  l 


208  WILLIAM   PENN. 

Did  P.  commend  industry,  and  marriage  at  a  proper  time  ? — Did 
he  give  advice  concerning  alms-giving,  conversation,  and  self- 
government'? — Did  he  honour  the  good,  poor  man1? — What  said  P. 
concerning  temperance,  simplicity,  bad  company,  evil  speaking,  and 
domestic  religion  1 

Did  P.  expect  his  children  would  be  governors  of  Pennsylvania ! 
— What  charge  did  P.  give  his  children  in  respect  to  the  province  1 
— How  did  P.  conclude  his  letter  1 — When  did  P.  land  in  Penn- 
sylvania 1— What  were  his  first  enactments  1 

When  did  P.  meet  the  natives  1 — In  what  place  was  this  meeting 
held  1 — How  did  the  Indians  meet  Penn  ? — How  did  P.  explain  his 
intentions  ? — Did  the  Indians  receive  Penn's  treaty  ? 

Where  did  P.  establish  his  city,  and  by  what  name  ?— Did  many 
emigrants  follow  the  first  colonists'? — How  did  P.  describe  the 
country1? — How  did  P.  employ  himself? — What  disposed  P.  to 
return  to  England  1 — Did  P.  revisit  the  continent  of  Europe "? 

Why  was  P.  suspected  of  being  a  Catholic  1 — Why  was  he  de- 
prived of  the  government  of  Pennsylvania'? — How  did  P.  bear 
misfortune  ? — What  consoled  P.  in  his  afflictions "? — What  domestic 
talamity  happened  to  him'? — What  afflicting  intelligence  did  P. 
receive  from  the  colony  1 — Why  was  P.  restored  to  the  colonial 
government  ? 

Did  P.  contract  a  second  marriage,  and  lose  a  beloved  son  1 — 
Did  P.  return  to  the  province  1 — What  anecdote  is  related  of  Penn  ? 
— How  did  P.  and  the  Society  of  Friends  regard  Indians  and 
Negroes'? — Did  P.  visit  the  Indians'? — Did  the  Indians  visit  Penn? 
— What  relic  of  Penn  is  still  preserved  1 

What  disturbed  the  prosperity  of  Penn  1 — Did  P.  once  more 
return  to  England  1 — Was  the  government  of  Pennsylvania  then 
altered  ] — Was  Penn  favoured  by  different  princes  1 — Was  Penn 
suitably  rewarded  for  his  benevolence  1 — Why  was  P.  confined  to 
prison  limits  ? 

What  broke  up  the  health  of  Penn,  and  when  did  he  die  1 — In 
what  was  P.  particularly  eminent  1 — Who  is  a  great  benefactor  to 
mankind'? — Who  are  the  most  distinguished  legislators  of  ancient 
and  modern  times'? 


JOHN    FREDERIC   OgEJLLIN.  209 

How  did  Penn's  notions  of  government/agree  with  contemporary 
governments  1 — Did  principles  of  true  Aunanity  form  Penn's  poli- 
tics ? — Was  Penn  a  learned  man  1 — "Vlfliat  \gere  Penn's  personal 
and  domestic  virtues'? — Was  Penn  a"ue  Christian'? — What  is 
religious  liberty,  and  how  has  it  been  fettered  in  England  1 — How 
does  it  appear  that  Penn  was  a  truly  great  man  ] 


JOHN    FREDERIC    OBERLIN. 


Peter  of  Russia  attempted  to  civilise  a  vast  empire : 
— Mr.  Howard  to  meliorate  the  misery  of  the  prisoner, 
and  to  instruct  and  reform  the  ignorant : — Mr.  Roscoe 
endeavoured  to  improve  his  native  city,  and  to  break 
the  bonds  of  the  poor  slave : — William  Penn  to  afford 
an  asylum  for  liberty  and  religion  in  the  new  world : — 
and  Mary  Evelyn,  with  the  virtue  suitable  to  her  sex, 
instructed  her  little  sisters,  and  counselled  the  servants 
of  her  father's  family. 

They  all  possessed  benevolence — the  desire  to  do  good. 
Peter's  benevolence  was  not  perfect:  he  was  often 
willing  to  give  a  great  deal  of  pain.  Desire  to  do  a  great 
deal  of  good — going  about  to  do  good,  as  Christ  did,  is 
philanthropy — love  to  man.  John  Howard  and  Frederic 
Oberlin  were  philanthropists ;  they  wished  to  relieve  the 
distressed,  and  to  improve  the  ignorant. 

14 


210  JOHN    FREDERIC   OEERLIN. 

*  ,* 

Id  the  north-east  df  France,  near  the  borders  of  Ger- 
many, and  not  far  frofc  the  city  of  Strasburg,  is  a  tract 
of  country  called  tha^Ban  de  la  Roche.  It  is  a  high 
region,  among  some  mountains  called  the  Vosges.  It 
contains  five  little  hamlets,  or  small  villages,  and  nine 
thousand  acres  of  land.  Between  three  and  four 
thousand  acres  are  covered  with  wood ;  two  thousand 
are  occupied  with  pasture ;  fifteen  hundred  are  cultivated 
for  gardens ;  and  the  same  number  are  ploughed  for  the 
growth  of  corn,  potatoes,  &c. 

About  two  hundred  years  ago,  the  whole  country 
was  overrun  with  the  armies  of  the  French  king ;  and  as 
soldiers  destroy  and  carry  off  every  thing  that  is  good 
for  food,  the  *poor  inhabitants  of  this  tract  would  not 
cultivate  it  at  all  It  was  rocky  and  barren.  Nothing 
but  a  little  scant  grass  and  some  wild  fruits  grew  there. 

But,  notwithstanding  its  barrenness,  eighty  or  a  hun- 
dred families  contrived  to  subsist  in  the  Ban  de  la 
Roche ;  miserably  enough,  it  is  true.  They  had  a  few 
flocks,  and  some  cattle ;  so  that  they  could  obtain  milk, 
wool,  and  a  little  flesh  to  eat.  The  skins  of  the  slaught- 
ered animals  served  them  for  various  uses.  It  appears 
they  had  no  potatoes  and  no  corn : — they  had  a  few 
nuts  and  dried  berries. 

In  some  districts  of  France,  all  the  people  were  re- 
quired by  the  laws  to  be  Catholics;  but  in  this,  they 
were  allowed  to  worship  as  they  liked ;  and  they  were, 
for  the  most  part,  Lutherans — followers  of  Martin 
Luther:    who   taught   that   all  should  read  the  Bible, 


JOHN    FREDERIC    OBERLIN.  211 

and  pray  to  God  in  their  own  language.  Persons  who 
believe  this,  are  commonly  called  Protestants.  The  in- 
habitants of  the  Ban,  however,  con  nblj  ?ead  the  Bible, 
nor  any  other  book ;  for  they  hajB  *no*  ■  Bopks,  and  had 
never  been  taught  to  read. 

These  poor  people,  ignorant  as  they  were,  had  three 
little  churches,  and  a  minister  resided  among  them,  and 
went  from  one  to  the  other,  preaching  in  each  in  turn. 
There  were  also  some  very  miserable  schools  for  the 
little  children.  The  people  had  notnoney  to  buy  books. 
In  summer  the  school-masters  kepttheep,  and  sometimes 
pigs,  so  they  had  very  little  time  to  instruct  the  children. 

One  of  the  pastors  of  Ban  de  la  Roche,  named  Stouber, 
endeavoured  to  procure  better  schools  for  them,  and  he 
succeeded  at  length.  A  good  gentleman  in  Strasburg 
gave  him  four  hundred  dollars  to  pay  school-masters, 
and  he  made  them  some  little  books,  from  which  they 
could  be  taught  easy  lessons. 

In  a  few  months,  by  means  of  the  new  masters  and 
the  new  spelling-book,  the  children  could  read  a  little, 
and  the  larger  ones,  and  even  their  fathers  and  mothers, 
thought  it  a  good  thing  to  read,  and  wished  to  be  taught 
also.  For  these,  Sunday-schools  and  evening-schools 
were  contrived. 

The  people  had  only  heard  that  the  Bible  was  the  word 
of  God,  they  had  no  notion  of  it  as  it  is — of  the  Old  and 
New  Testaments,  or  of  a  book,  or  a  chapter,  or  a  verse. 
Their  good  minister,  in  order  to  remove  this  ignorance, 
procured  them  Bibles,  and  they  would  read  them  in  their 


212  JOHN    FREDERIC    OBERLIN. 

houses,  and  soon  lbvejl'  them  exceedingly.  They  grew 
better  constantly  after They  began  thus  to  cultivate  their 
minds.  ■  .J 

During  fourteen  years  Stouber  ministered  to  the  pea- 
sants of  the  Ban  de  la  Roche,  and  then  he  left  them,  but 
his  successor  was  as  good  as  he — his  name  was  John 
Frederic  Oberlin. 


John  Frederic  Ob^-lin  was  born  at  Strasburg,  in  1740. 
His  father,  who  was- a  wise  and  good  man,  devoted  his 
leisure  time  to  teaching  his  nine  children,  who  loved  him 
dearly,  and  obeyed  him  always. 

This  affectionate  father  was  a  poor  man,  but  he  used 
to  give  such  of  his  little  ones  as  were  old  enough  to  use 
money  a  penny  every  Saturday,  to  spend  in  purchasing 
fruit  or  cakes.  Little  Frederic  used  to  put  his  pence  into 
a  savings-box,  in  order  to  accumulate,  or  collect  a*  con- 
siderable sum.  An  anecdote  is  related  of  him,  which 
shows  that  he  did  not  save  from  selfishness,  but  that  he 
made  a  generous  use  of  his  little  hoard. 

The  elder  Oberlin  was  accustomed,  whenever  he 
bought  any  thing,  or  whenever  he  bespoke  any  article,  to 
pay  for  it  at  the  time.  He  knew  that  running  in  debt  is 
a  bad  habit,  so  that  whenever  a  coat  or  pair  of  shoes 
was  brought  home,  the  tailor  or  shoemaker  was  paid 
immediately. 

Rich  people  may  have  articles  charged,  and  then  pay 
for  them  altogether;  but  those  who  are  not  rich,  are 


JOHN    FREDERIC    OBERLIN.  213 

very  apt  not  to  have  money  enough  to  pay  long  bills ; 
and  by  putting  them  off,  and  sometimes  by  not  paying 
them  at  all,  they  disappoint  and  injure  those  who  have 
trusted  them.  This  paying  of  debts  at  the  right  time  is 
punctuality  and  integrity ;  an  honest  man  never  is  happy 
when  he  is  in  debt. 

When  the  tailor  or  shoemaker  appeared,  Frederic 
Oberlin  would  watch  his  father  as  he  told  the  money  to 
pay  him,  and  it  sometimes  happened  that  he  had  not 
quite  enough.  The  workman  would  then  say,  "  It  is  of 
no  consequence,  it  is  but  a  trifle;"  but  the  good  man 
would  not  take  advantage  of  another  in  the  least  matter, 
and  this  affectionate  son,  seeing  that  a  little  money  would 
be  of  use  to  him,  would  run  to  his  savings-box,  and 
returning  with  it,  would  empty  all  his  store  into  the  hands 
of  his  beloved  parent. 

This  was  one  among  a  thousand  instances  of  the  gene- 
rosity and  benevolence,  for  which  he  w7as,  even  in  his 
earliest  infancy,,  remarkable.  He  was  never  so  happy 
as  when  he  was  assisting  or  relieving  people  in  distress. 
In  order  to  do  this,  he  practised  the  self-denial  that  has 
been  mentioned. 

To  deny  one's-self,  is  not  to  eat,  or  play,  or  spend 
money,  or  do  any  thing  one  likes  to  do,  if  by  not  doing 
it,  we  can  give  food,  or  money,  or  any  thing  else,  to 
those  who  need  it  more  than  we.  By  self-denial  Frederic 
Oberlin  accumulated  a  little  money,  and  thus  he  was 
able  to  be  generous.  Of  this  generosity  the  following  is 
an  instance : 


214  JOHN  .  FREDERIC    OBERLIN. 

He  was  one  day  crossing  the  market-place,  when  his 
savings-box  happened  to  be  nearly  full,  and  he  saw  some 
rude  boys  knock  down  a  basket  of  eggs  which  a  country- 
woman was  carrying  upon  her  head.  The  woman,  seeing 
her  eggs  all  broken,  was  in  great  trouble.  Frederic  pitied 
her  exceedingly,  and  he  was  much  displeased  with  the 
cruel,  thoughtless  boys.  He  told  them  so,  and  tried  to 
make  them  feel  how  wicked  and  foolish  it  was  to  injure 
and  destroy  another  person's  property,  and  then  ran 
home,  brought  his  box,  and  presented  the  poor  woman 
with  the  whole  contents. 

Another  day,  he  was  passing  in  Strasburg  market,  by 
the  stall  of  an  old-clothes  vender.  A  poor  infirm  woman 
was  making  a  bargain  with  the  clothes-man  for  some 
second-hand  garment  she  wanted,  and  she  urged  him  to 
abate  the  price  he  had  asked.  The  man,  however,  re- 
fused, and  the  woman  looked  very  sorry  when  she  found 
she  had  not  money  enough  to  purchase  what  she  wanted. 

At  length,  quite  disappointed,  she  turned  away  from 
the  stall.  Frederic  stood  by  and  heard  all  that  passed. 
The  woman  had  need  only  of  about  two  cents  of  our 
money  to  enable  her  to  buy  the  old  gown  she  had  been 
bargaining  for.  As  soon  as  little  Oberlin  observed  her 
to  turn  from  the  stall,  he  went  up  to  the  dealer  and  slip- 
ped the  two  sous  into  his  hand,  and  whispered  to  him, 
"  Call  back  the  woman,  and  let  her  have  the  gown ;" 
and  then,  without  stopping  for  her  thanks,  he  instantly 
ran  away. 

Frederic  Oberlin  had  not  only  a  good  father,  he  had 


JOHN    FREDERIC   OBERLIN.  215 

also  a  very  pious  and  watchful  mother.  Every  evening 
this  lady  would  assemble  her  children  together,  and  read 
to  them  some  instructive  book,  whilst  they  sat  round  the 
table,  copying  pictures,  which  their  father  had  drawn 
for  them.  When  they  were  about  to  go  to  bed,  they 
would  all  beg  for  "  one  beautiful  hymn  from  dear  mam- 
ma," which  she  would  sing  for  them,  and  then  they  went 
to  rest  happy  and  good. 


The  good  child  at  length  grew  up  to  be  a  man.  He 
was  educated  to  be  a  minister  of  the  gpspel — to  teach 
and  to  preach.  When  Oberlin  was  about  twenty-seven 
years  old,  he  was  offered  the  parish  of  Walbach,  in  the 
Ban  de  la  Roche,  which  Stouber  had  just  left,  and  though 
it  was  not  a  very  desirable  place,  he  thought  he  could 
do  good,  there,  and  therefore  he  went  to  Walbach  in 
March,  1767. 

A  parsonage,  or  minister's  house,  had  been  provided 
for  Stouber,  and  this  became  the  residence  of  Oberlin. 
This  house  had  a  court-yard  in  front,  and  a  good  garden 
behind,  and  stood  in  a  delightful  situation,  very  near  the 
church,  being  surrounded  by  rugged  mountains,  partially 
covered  with  pines  and  other  trees,  with  valleys  between. 

Oberlin's  parishioners j  notwithstanding  the  pains  Stou- 
ber had  taken  with  them,  were  still  very  ignorant  and 
very  poor.  They  knew  nothing  of  any  other  part  of 
the  world.  They  spoke  a  rude  patois,  or  language  of 
their  own,  which  could  be  found  in  no  written  book. 


216  JOHN    FREDERIC   OBERLIN. 

They  had  no  carriage-roads — nothing  but  foot-paths 
from  place  to  place;  and  not  even  a  bridge  over  the 
river  Bruche,  which  ran  through  Walbach. 

Those  people  who  cultivated  the  soil  had  no  proper 
implements  —  no  good  ploughs,  spades,  pickaxes,  and 
hoes:  and  they  had  no  money  to  buy  any  at  Stras- 
burg,  where  few  of  them  ever  went.  Besides  being  so 
destitute,  they  were  made  poorer  by  what  was  called  a 
feudal  service. 

The  whole  Ban  de  la  Roche  belonged  to  a  nobleman, 
who  required  of  its  inhabitants  part  of  their  'crops,  or 
some  wood,  or  a  little  money,  as  a  sort  of  rent,  for  the 
right  of  occup^ng  their  lands  and  houses;  and  this  was 
called  the  feudal  service.  The  paying  this  was  a  great 
trouble  to  the  tenants  of  this  district,  and  made  them 
very  angry;  but  they  were  forced  to  do  it. 

Oberlin  saw  all  the  want  and  poverty  of  his  people, 
and  he  resolved  to  serve  them  as  much  as  he  could. 
Many  of  them  would  not  believe  that  he  meant  to  do 
them  any  good.  They  thought  he  only  meddled  with 
their  affairs,  which  did  not  concern  him,  and  some  of 
these  people  resolved  to  waylay  and  beat  him. 

Oberlin  was  informed  of  their  design ;  and  he  did  not 
prepare  himself  to  return  evil  for  evil,  but,  on  the  very 
Sunday  which  he  knew  his  enemies  had  fixed  upon  to 
surprise  and  abuse  him,  he  preached  from  these  words 
of  our  Saviour,  in  the  fifth  chapter  of  St.  Matthew ; — 
"  But  I  say  unto  you  that  ye  resist  not  evil ;  but  who- 


JOHN    FREDERIC    OBERLIN  217 

soever  shall  smite  thee  on  thy  right  cheek,  turn  to  him 
the  other  also." 

After  service,  the  malignant  persons,  not  reproved  by 
their  pastor's  Christian  exhortation,  assembled  together 
to  carry  on  their  unworthy  design.  While  they  were 
conferring  together,  Oberlin,  to  their  astonishment,  ap- 
peared among  them.  "  Here  I  am,  my  friends,"  said  he, 
with  that  dignity  and  love  in  his  looks  which  awes  and 
wins  the  worst  of  men. 

And  he  proceeded  to  say,  "  I  know  what  you  intend 
to  do  to  me.  If  I  have  done  you  any  wrong,  punish  me 
for  it.  It  is  better  that  I  deliver  myself  up  to  you,  than 
that  you  should  commit  the  meanness  of  seizing  me  by 
deception  and  artifice." 

These  words  made  them  ashamed  of  their  own  coward- 
ly and  cruel  purpose.  Many  against  one,  dared  not  meet 
him  openly,  because  they  intended  to  do  him  wrong ;  but 
one  upright  and  noble  spirit,  without  fear,  exposed  his 
life,  perhaps,  to  his .  misguided  enemies,  because  he  in- 
tended to  do  them  good  and  not  evil. 

Such  conduct  as  this,  explains  what  Christ  taught  when 
he  said,  "  Love  your  enemies  ;  bless  them  that  curse  you ; 
do  good  to  them  that  hate  you ;  and  pray  for  them  that 
despitefully  use  you."  He  taught  also,  "  Fear  not  what 
men  can  do  unto  you ;"  that  is,  if  men  would  wrong  you 
for  doing  right,  persevere,  even  if  you  should  greatly 
suffer.  Rather  fear  to  offend  God,  by  breaking  his  laws 
— by  refraining  to  do  what  he  forbids,  than  to  offend 
men  who  would  injure  you. 


218  JOHN    FREDERIC    OBERLIN. 

This  disregard  of  danger  in  doing  right  is  moral  courage. 
Oberlin's  moral  courage  and  Christian  forgiveness  over- 
came ill-will.  The  conspirators  against  him  begged  his 
forgiveness,  and  promised  never  again  to  doubt  his  affec- 
tionate desire  for  their  welfare.. 

Oberlin  was  sometimes  a  little  discouraged  by  their 
perverseness  afterwards,  but  Stouber  often  wrote  to  him 
to  animate  his  exertions,  and  he  was  also  greatly  assisted 
by  his  wife,  for  in  1768,  he  married  a  young  lady  of 
Strasburg,  named  Madeline  Salome  Witter. 


One  of  the  best  means  to  improve  ignorant  people,  is 
acquaintance  with  others  better  improved  than  them- 
selves. Oberlin  knew  this,  and  he  proposed  to  make 
a  road  from  the  Ban  to  the  high  road  which  led  to 
the  city  of  Strasburg.  In  that  way,  he  thought  that 
articles  produced,  or  made  in  the  Ban,  might  be  convey- 
ed to  Strasburg  and  sold,  and  that  those  which  the  people 
needed  might  be  brought  from  the  city,  and  his  people 
might  become  acquainted  with  others. 

In  order  to  induce  the  people  to  make  the  new  road, 
Oberlin  collected  them,  and  proposed  to  construct  a  road 
about  a  mile  and  a  half  in  length,  and  to  build  a  bridge 
across  the  Bruche.  The  peasants  were  perfectly  astonish- 
ed at  this  project,  and  every  one  refused  to  aid  in  it. 

Oberlin  then  renewed  his  proposal,  and  concluded 
by  saying,  "  Let  all  of  you,  who  feel  that  what  I  have 
said  promises  to  do  them  good,  come  and  work  with 


JOHN    FREDERIC    OBERLIN.  219 

me."  He  had  no  sooner  said  this,  than,  seizing  a  pick- 
axe, he  repaired  to  the  place  where  the  projected  road 
was  to  be  commenced.  It  need  hardly  be  told  that  the 
peasants  immediately  went  to  fetch  their  tools,  and  fol- 
lowed the  good  pastor's  example. 

Oberlin  applied  to  some  of  his  friends  in  Strasburg,  to 
furnish  him  with  money  to  pay  some  of  the  expense  of 
this  undertaking.  His  whole  parish  engaged  in  it,  and 
at  the  beginning  of  the  year  1770,  the  road  was  com- 
pleted, and  a  neat  wooden  bridge  thrown  across  the 
river.  This  bridge  still  bears  the  name  of  "  Le  Pont  de 
Charite." 

Oberlin,  in  the  course  of  this  work,  opened  a  large 
warehouse,  or  store,  in  the  valley,  where  all  sorts  of  tools 
might  be  purchased.  He  was  very  kind  and  wise  to  do 
all  this,  and  those  who  assisted  him  in  his  undertaking, 
the  citizens  of  Strasburg,  who  gave  money  and  tools 
for  the  work,  were  very  benevolent  also. 

The  peasants  had  not  money  to  buy  pickaxes  and 
other  tools,  but  Oberlin  gave  them  credit — that  is,  he 
suffered  them  to  have  the  tools,  and  pay  for  them  when 
they  should  get  money.  He  might  have  given  these 
tools,  but  he  knew  that  people  value  their  own  property, 
purchased  with  their  own  money,  more  than  a  gift. 
Persons  who  did  not  pay  in  due  time,  he  did  not  trust 
again. 

The  next  measure  that  Oberlin  took  to  civilize  his 
people,  was  the  introduction  among  them  of  mechanic 
arts  and  trades.    These  arts  furnish  the  conveniences  of 


220  JOHN    FREDERIC   OBERLIN. 

life,  and  make  great  part  of  its  civilization — its  order, 
comfort,  and  decency.  How  much  obliged  are  those 
who  live  at  ease  and  without  labour,  to  those  who  pro- 
vide their  implements,  and  all  the  furniture  and  conveni- 
ences of  life !  They  form  what  is  called  the  mechanic 
class  of  society — as  respectable  and  useful  men  as  any 
that  live. 

There  were  neither  masons,  blacksmiths,  nor  wheel- 
wrights in  the  country,  and  the  inhabitants  were  subjected 
to  numerous  privations,  and  to  great  expenses  in  fetching 
from  the  neighbouring  town  what  was  needful.  Oberlin 
therefore  selected  some  from  among  the  elder  boys,  and 
sent  them  to  Strasburg,  to  learn  the  trades  of  the  car- 
penter, mason,  glazier,  blacksmith,  &c. 

In  this  way  he  procured  good  workmen,  who  returned 
to  the  valley,  set  up  their  business,  and  served  and  in- 
structed the  inhabitants.  Thus  the  money  that  was  paid 
for  work  was  paid  to  the  villagers,  and  they  could  spend 
it  in  the  district.  Till  then,  money  was  so  very  scarce 
among  them,  that  a  single  sou  is  said  to  have  overwhelm- 
ed a  poor  woman  with  joy,  as  it  enabled  her  to  procure 
a  little  salt — a  very  scarce  commodity  among  these  people 
— to  eat  upon  her  potatoes. 

Finally,  Oberlin  taught  them  to  improve  their  dwellings. 
These  were  generally  wretched  cabins,  hewn  out  of  the 
rocks,  or  sunk  in  the  sides  of  the  mountains,  and  they 
had  no  cellars  where  roots  could  be  preserved  during 
winter.    Under  Oberlin's  direction,  comfortable  cottages 


JOHN    FREDERIC   OBERLIN.  221 

were  constructed,  and  their  provisions  were  preserved 
from  frost. 

These  ignorant  people  were  attached  to  their  old  prac- 
tices ;  they  never  had  had  gardens  nor  fruit-trees,  and 
they  did  not  wish  to  have  any.  Their  fields  produced 
only  scant  crops,  and  they  did  not  think  there  was  any 
way  to  improve  them.  ■  Oberlin  saw  their  prejudice 
against  horticulture,  and  improved  agriculture,  and  he 
knew  that  the  only  way  to  convince  them  that  they  were 
mistaken,  was  to  show  them  that  they  were. 

He  practised  upon  his  own  gardens  and  his  own  fields. 
He  planted  a  nursery  of  apple,  pear,  plum,  and  walnut 
trees,  and  then  waited  patiently  for  his  people  to  imitate 
him.  His  trees  grew  and  flourished;  the  people  saw 
them,  and  wished  to  procure  such  for  themselves.  Ober- 
lin gladly  gave  them  all  the  assistance  in  his  power. 

In  a  few  years  the  very  face  of  the  country  underwent 
a  great  change.  The  cottages  were  soon  surrounded 
with  neat  little  orchards  and  gardens ;  and  in  place  of 
poverty  and  misery,  the  villages  and  their  inhabitants 
gradually  assumed  the  appearance  of  competency  and 
comfort,  for  the  cottagers  had  become  reconciled  to  all 
the  practices  which  Oberlin  commended  to  them. 

Seeds,  to  renew  the  fields,  were  brought  from  Switzer- 
land and  Holland,  and  the  good  pastor  taught  the  culti- 
vators when  to  manure  the  ground,  and  how  to  treat  the 
different  vegetables  which  they  had  planted,  and  every 
thing  flourished  according  to  the  skill  and  industry  be- 
stowed upon  it.     Once,  in  i709,  so  dreadful  a  famine 


222  JOHN    FREDERIC    OBERLIN. 

had  prevailed  in  the  district,  that  the  people  had  nothing 
but  wild  apples  and  pears  to  feed  upon. 


The  care  which  Oberlin  bestowed  upon  the  bodies  of 
his  flock,  has  been  chiefly  regarded  in  the  foregoing  nar- 
rative ;  it  is  time  to  relate  the  deep  interest  he  took  in  the 
welfare  of  their  souls.  He  convinced  the  adult  people, 
that  in  order  to  make  their  children  good  and  wise  men 
and  women,  they  must  give  them  good  schools,  and  that 
they  must  have  convenient  school-houses. 

At  first  the  people  refused  to  have  the  schools,  but  as 
Oberlin  induced  his  Strasburg  friends  to  pay  the  expense 
of  erecting  one  new  school-house,  they  were  reconciled 
to  his  plan,  and  in  time  they  erected  a  school-house  in 
each  of  the  five  villages. 

It  is  presumed  that  infant-schools  first  originated  in 
this  district.  While  the  school-houses  were  building,  and 
the  parents  constantly  at  work,  Oberlin  laid  down  a  plan 
for  the  education  of  the  smallest  children.  He  knew  that 
very  little  children  can  be  taught  what  is  right  and  wrong, 
and  to  be  obedient,  and  for  such  the  good  pastor  and  his 
wife  founded  schools. 

The  women  conducted  the  school ;  one  amused  and 
took  care  of  the  little  ones,  and  one  taught  such  as  were 
able,  to  knit,  spin,  and  sew.  When  the  little  ones  were 
tired  of  work,  the  conductrice,  so  the  school-mistress  was 
called,  showed  them  coloured  prints  of  men  and  animals, 
and  in  adcHtion  to  this,  they  were  taught  geography,  and 


JOHN    FREDERIC   OBERLIN.  223 

to  sing  moral  songs  and  hymns.  They  were  not  permitted 
to  speak  a  word  of  patois  in  these  schools,  but  very  pure 
French. 

The  little  ones,  first  taught  in  these  infant-schools,  were 
next  sent  to  the  public-schools,  for  which  they  had  been 
prepared.  Reading,  writing,  arithmetic,  geography,  as- 
tronomy, sacred  and  profane  history,  were  taught  in 
these  schools,  and  every  Sunday  the  children  recited  the 
religious  lessons  they  had  learned  during  the  week. 
"  Cher  Papa"  in  English,  good  father,  was  the  title  given 
to  the  good  man  by  all  his  people.  So  much  was  he 
beloved  by  the  children,  that  a  word  and  smile  from  him 
on  Sunday  was  considered  as  a  reward  for  all  their 
labour  during  the  past  week. 

For  the  use  of  these  children  Oberlin  composed  in- 
structive books ;  one  was  called,  "  L'Ami  des  Enfans," 
the  Children's  Friend,  and  another,  the  "  Coup  d'ceil  sur 
la  Nature,"  or,  A  Glance  over  the  World,  that  is,  over 
the  plants,  animals,  and  minerals,  which  form  the  king- 
doms of  nature.  Besides  giving  them  these  books,  he 
formed  a  little  library,  which  was  removed  from  time  to 
time  through  all  the  villages  in  rotation. 

The  young  persons  of  the  Ban  de  la  Roche  were  also 
required  to  write  out  what  they  had  studied  in  little 
essays,  and  thus  they  were  enabled  to  express  what  they 
knew  with  ease,  and  in  suitable  language.  They  were 
instructed  in  botany  from  the  native  plants  of  the  district, 
and  to  draw  flowers  very  beautifully,  so  that  these  poor 


224  JOHN    FREDERIC   OBERLIN. 

people  became  more  truly  accomplished  than  many  that 
are  educated  at  a  great  expense  in  large  cities. 


After  Oberlin  and  his  wife  had  lived  together  sixteen 
years,  Mrs.  Oberlin  died,  and  left  seven  children  to  be 
educated  by  their  afflicted  father.  When  Mrs.  Oberlin 
died,  neither  murmur  nor  complaint  escaped  from  her 
husband's  lips.  He  trusted  that  he  should  meet  her  in 
another  and  a  better  world ;  and  when  he  was  deprived 
of  this  faithful  friend,  he  became  more  and  more  earnest 
to  serve  those  that  were  left  to  his  care. 

After  the  death  of  Mrs.  Oberlin,  a  servant  of  the  family, 
named  Louisa  Schepler,  undertook  the  management  of 
the  household,  and  the  care  of  the  children.  This  woman 
was  uncommonly  charitable  and  disinterested,  and  did 
every  thing  in  her  power  to  assist  the  benevolent  Oberlin. 

The  good  consequences  of  Oberlin's  care  of  his  people, 
and  of  the  lambs  of  the  flock,  as  Christ  called  little  chil- 
dren, soon  became  apparent  all  over  the  Ban  de  la  Roche. 
Catholics  loved  him  as  much  as  Protestants,  and  they  all 
lived  more  comfortably,  and  conducted  themselves  more 
virtuously  than  they  had  ever  done.  From  being  rude 
and  ignorant,  they  became  polite  and  intelligent,  and 
their  poverty  was  relieved  by  their  kindness  to  one 
another. 

Some  strangers  who  visited  Oberlin,  have  described 
his  happiness  in  the  following  beautiful  manner.  These 
friends  took  a  walk  with  him  one  fine  evening :  *  We 


JOHN    FREDERIC    OBERLIN.  225 

had,"  said  one  of  them,  "  a  wooded  hill  to  ascend ;  the 
sun  waife  just  setting,  and  it  was  a  beautiful  evening. 
'What  sweet  thoughts  and  pious  sentiments  you  have 
uttered,  during  this  interesting  walk !' "  said  Oberlin  to 
the  pious  friends  who  accompanied  him. 

"  Our  hearts  were  indeed  in  unison ;  and  he  related  to 
us  the  circumstances  of  his  past  life,  and  spoke  of  his 
views  and  ideas,  and  the  fear  and  the  love  of  God,  in  the 
most  touching  manner.  Sometimes  we  stood  still  to 
admire  the  beauties  of  nature,  and  at  others,  to  listen 
with  earnest  attention  to  his  impressive  discourse. 

"  One  moment  was  deeply  affecting,  when,  stopping 
half-way  up  the  hill,  he  said,  in  the  softest  tone — '  I  am 
happy.'  "  Happy  without  wealth,  or  any  frivolous  plea- 
sure ;  happy  only  in  piety  and  works  of  love.  "  We 
longed  to  live  like  him,"  wrote  his  friend,  "  that  we  also 
might  partake  of  the  same  happiness." 


This  friend  of  Oberlin  thus  describes  his  house  and  his 
family.  "  The  house  stands  well,  and  has  from  the  gar- 
den side  a  romantic  view ;  in  every  part  of  it,  that  kind 
of  elegance,  which  is  the  result  of  neatness  and  order, 
prevails.  The  furniture  is  simple.  The  walls  are  covered 
with  maps  and  drawings,  and  texts  of  Scripture  are 
written  over  the  doors, — '  Love  God  with  all  thy  heart, 
and  thy  neighbour  as  thyself,'  and  many  others. 

"  His  study  contains  a  well-chosen  selection  of  books 
in  French  and  German,  chiefly  for  youth.     The  walls 

15 


226  JOHN"    FREDERIC    OBERLIN. 

are  covered  with  engravings,  portraits  of  eminent  per- 
sons, plates  of  insects  and  animals,  and  colouretl  draw- 
ings of  minerals,  and  other  pictures,  interesting  and  in- 
structive. 

"  The  dinner  commenced  with  a  blessing.  The  chil- 
dren, two  maids,  and  a  young  girl  sent  there  to  be 
educated,  were  at  the  table;  there  was  a  remarkable 
expression  of  softness  in  all  their  countenances."  Oberlin 
then  related  some  trials  he  had  suffered,  and  how  he  had 
borne  them.  "  But,"  he  concluded,  "  it  is  as  great  a 
fault  to  talk  of  bur  own  virtues,  as  of  other  people's 
faults." 

All  who  composed  this  excellent  family  were  industri- 
ous, mild,  gentle,  and  affectionate.  They  all  loved  one 
another,  and  more  than  any  other  member,  the  venerable 
head  of  the  household.  So  much  did  the  domestics  love 
him,  that  once,  one  of  them  being  sick,  and  being  com- 
forted by  her  kind  friend,  she  answered,  "  I  fear,  dear 
papa,  there  will  be  no  servants  in  Heaven,  and  that  I 
shall  lose  the  happiness  of  waiting  upon  you  wThen  I 
die." 

In  the  year  1793,  the  happy  family  were  afflicted  by 
the  death  of  Frederic  Oberlin,  the  pastor's  eldest  son ; 
but  this  event  was  regarded  in  this  pious  family  with  the 
most  holy  submission  to  Divine  Providence.  "  They 
spoke  of  Frederic  not  as  of  the  dead,  but  as  one  gone 
before  them  to  Heaven,  where  they  confidently  hoped, 
sooner  or  later,  to  meet  him  again." 


JOHN    FREDERIC   OBERLIN.  227 

It  has  been  related  that  the  French  Revolution  caused 
the  greatest  confusion  in  France.  All  over  the  provinces, 
there  were  persons  who  loved  the  king  and  the  old 
government ;  but  the  armies  of  the  new  government  were 
sent  everywhere  to  set  up  new  magistrates,  and  to  de- 
prive the  royalists,  or  friends  of  the  king,  of  their  pro- 
perty. 

The  king's  party  sometimes  fled  before  the  republican 
army,  as  it  was  called,  and  sometimes  fought  with 
them;  so  that  all  people  everywhere  lived  in  danger 
and  fear.  The  people  of  the  Ban  de  la  Roche  were  too 
poor  to  draw  a  ravaging  army,  and  they  were  suffered 
still  to  worship  God ;  for  the  republican  government,  at 
that  time,  was  so  wicked  as  to  forbid  public  worship  in 
France. 

Many  unfortunate  persons,  driven  from  their  own 
homes,  took  refuge  in  the  family  and  neighbourhood  of 
Oberlin;  and  thus  the  people  of  the  Ban,  sometimes 
called  also  Steinthal,  or  the  valley  of  stones,  became  ac- 
quainted with  the  change  of  government.  Before  this 
time,  they  had  been  subjects  of  the  French  king ;  then 
they  became  citizens  of  the  French  Republic. 

Oberlin  wished  to  show  his  people  that  they  must 
submit  to  new  laws,  if  such  should  be  introduced  among 
them ;  and  that  under  any  government,  good  men  are 
good  members  of  the  commonwealth — the  great  com- 
munity that  live  in  peace  together  under  the  same  law 
and  order.  To  teach  them  what  true  republicans  are, 
he  addressed  the  following  discourse  to  them : — 


228  JOHN    FREDERIC    OBERLIN. 

"  Young  people  are  precious  in  the  sight  of  God  and 
of  good  men  when  they  are  truly  what  they  ought  to 
be — noble-minded,  courageous,  diligent,  modest,  pious, 
humble,  docile;  willing  to  employ  all  their  talents  for 
the  welfare  of  their  families,  full  of  respect  towards 
their  superiors,  and  desirous  of  keeping  the  command- 
ments of  God. 

"  I  desire  that  the  numerous  members  of  the  French 
Republic  should  be  animated  by  truly  republican  senti- 
ments. I  wish  them  to  understand  that  public  happiness 
constitutes  private  happiness ;  and  that  every  individual 
ought,  therefore,  to  endeavour  to  love  and  serve  other 
men  for  their  benefit  as  well  as  his  own.  This  is  to  seek 
the  public  good. 

"  We  are  Republicans  when  we  neither  live,  nor  act, 
nor  undertake  any  thing,  nor  choose  a  profession  or 
situation,  nor  settle  in  life,  except  for  the  public  good  as 
much  as  our  own. 

"  We  are  Republicans  when  we  endeavour  to  imbue 
the  minds  of  our  children  with  the  love  of  science,  and 
with  such  knowledge  as  may  be  likely,  in  maturer  life, 
to  make  them  useful  in  the  stations  they  are  called  to 
occupy ;  and  when  we  teach  them  to  '  love  their  neigh- 
bours as  themselves.' 

"  May  you,  my  young  friends,  be  counted  henceforth 
among  the  active  benefactors  of  your  country. 

"  May  you  render  yourselves  worthy  of  this  honour- 
able title,  by  endeavouring  to  devote  to  the  public  good, 
and  to  the  general  happiness,  your  strength,  your  abili- 


JOHN    FREDERIC    OBERLIIV.  229 

ties,  your  leisure,  and  your  talents  ;  and  by  dedicating  to 
this  purpose  all  your  attainments  in  knowledge,  philoso- 
phy, and  science.  . 

"  You  will  then  become  precious  in  the  sight  of  all 
good  men;  and  God  will  protect  and  love  you,  and 
cause  your  undertakings  to  prosper.  He  will  also  one 
day  recompense  your  faithfulness,  by  saying  to  you,  in 
the  presence  of  the  assembled  universe,  '  Well  done., 
good  and  faithful  servant ;  thou  hast  been  faithful  over 
a  few  things,  I  will  make  thee  ruler  over  many  things  : 
enter  thou  into  the  joy  of  thy  Lord.' " — Matt.  xxv.  23. 


It  is  remarkable  that  the  inhabitants  of  the  Ban  de  la 
Roche,  although  so  very  poor,  were  none  of  them  beg- 
gars. None  of  them  were  idle,  and  none  were  drunk- 
ards ;  and  so  great  was  their  kindness  one  to  another, 
that  each,  after  the  example  of  their  pastor,  did  all  that 
they  could  to  aid  others  poorer  than  they. 

"  This  delightful  spirit  of  benevolence,"  wrote  a 
visiter  to  this  remarkable  people,  "  particularly  mani- 
fests itself  also  in  the  eager  alacrity  with  which  the 
young  people  assist  the  old  and  feeble  in  their  rural 
labours.  No  sooner  are  their  own  tasks  completed  in 
the  evening,  than  the  signal  is  given,  and  they  set  off  to 
execute  in  concert  some  labour  which,  by  its  charitable 
object,  becomes  a  recreation. 

"  Is  a  new  cottage  to  be  built, — the  young  people  take 
upon  themselves  the  task  of  collecting  the  materials 


230  JOHN    FREDERIC    OBERLIN. 

together,  and  of  assisting  in  its  erection.  Does  it  happen 
that  a  poor  man  loses  his  cow — his  only  support, — the 
whole  parish  subscribe,  and  raise  a  sum  sufficient  to  re- 
place it.  Is  a  poor  man  visited  with  a  misfortune  of 
any  kind, — he  is  not  the  only  sufferer,  for  all  his  neigh- 
bours participate  in  his  affliction :  as  the  Apostle  says, 
1  If  one  member  suffer,  all  the  members  suffer  with  it.' " 

They  were  enabled  to  do  this  by  their  habits  of 
economy ;  and  these  they  learned  from  the  advice  and 
example  of  their  pastor.  He  always  kept  a  strict  ac- 
count of  his  expenses,  and  never  was  known  to  owe  a 
single  sou  to  any  person.  One  of  his  admonitions  to  his 
flock  was, — "  Avoid  debts  as  the  greatest  misfortune  that 
can  happen  to  you." 

Such  excellent  services  to  his  flock  made  every  one 
who  heard  of  Oberlin  celebrate  his  example.  "  Every 
lip  became  eloquent  in  his  praise — every  voice  pro- 
nounced his  name  with  benedictions ;  and  the  stranger 
who  visited  the  vine-covered  hills  and  verdant  vales  of 
the  once  wild  Steinthal,  found  there  a  people,  late  igno- 
rant and  rude,  transformed  to  a  virtuous  and  well- 
informed  community ;  and  all  this  accomplished  by  the 
generous  cares  of  one  man,  whose  religion  was  love, 
teaching,  as  the  first  principle  of  Christianity,  that  "  He 
who  loveth  God,  must  love  his  brother  also." 

Oberlin  took  great  interest  in  distributing  Bibles.  In 
the  Ban  were  Roman  Catholics,  whom  their  priests  for- 
bid to  read  the  Scriptures;  but  many  of  these,  seeing 
that  the  reading  of  the  Bible  made  people  better,  ob- 


JOHN    FREDERIC    OBERLIN.  231 

tained  them,  and  read  them  with  pleasure :  and  poor  as 
the  people  of  Steinthal  were,  they  made  little  subscrip- 
tions to  send  Bibles  to  foreign  lands. 

On  Oberlin's  arrival  at  the  Ban  de  la  Roche,  the  popu- 
lation consisted  of  eighty  or  a  hundred  families  only.  It 
increased  in  the  course  of  a  few  years  to  five  or  six 
hundred  families,  constituting  altogether  three  thousand 
souls.  These  people  became  richer  as  they  increased 
in  number.  Their  increased  means  were  derived  from 
new  branches  of  industry  introduced  among  them,  such 
as  straw-platting,  cotton-spinning,  and  weaving. 

In  addition  to  these  resources,  two  gentlemen  from 
Basle,  Mr.  Daniel  and  Mr.  Joseph  Legrand,  commenced 
a  ribbon-factory  in  the  Steinthal,  which  gave  employ- 
ment to  several  hundred  hands.  The  ribbon-looms 
were  distributed  in  the  houses  of  the  inhabitants,  and  the 
children  worked  under  the  eye  of  their  parents. 

Mr.  Daniel  Legrand  took ,  up  his  residence  in  the 
valley,  and  found  himself  very  happy  in  the  society  of 
Oberlin  and  his  worthy  parishioners.  He  made  no 
complaint  of  "  vulgar  people,"  as  the  rich  and  the  proud 
sometimes  style  the  poor  and  the  humble,  but  rendered 
great  assistance  to  Oberlin  by  overlooking  and  improving 
the  schools,  and  by  other  services  equally  useful.  Those 
who  cannot  find  good  society  in  the  country,  may  learn, 
from  Oberlin  and  Mr.  Legrand,  how  to  make  it  good. 

Mr.  Legrand  thus  describes  his  own  satisfaction 
among  the  inhabitants  of  the  Ban  de  la  Roche.  In  a 
letter  addressed  by  him  to  the  Baron  de  Gerando,  he 


232  JOHN    FREDERIC    OBERLIN. 

says,  "  It  is  now  four  years  since  I  removed  here  with 
my  family ;  and  the  pleasure  of  residing  in  the  midst  of 
a  people  whose  manners  are  softened,  and  whose  minds 
are  enlightened  by  the  instructions  which  they  receive 
from  their  earliest  infancy,  reconciles  us  to  the  priva- 
tions that  are  necessarily  experienced  in  a  valley  sepa- 
rated from  the  rest  of  the  world  by  surrounding  moun- 
tains." 

The  happiness  which  Mr.  Legrand's  family  found 
in  doing  good,  and  in  being  surrounded  by  intelligent 
and  amiable  human  beings,  whose  practices  were  up- 
right, and  whose  manners  were  gentle  and  polished,  will 
be  experienced  by  every  person  who  resembles  them, 
and  acts  with  their  benevolent  spirit.  A  rich  man  who 
can  do  good  to  people  that  deserve  his  favour,  is  twice 
blessed.  Blessed  in  the  happiness  which  his  bounty  has 
increased,  and  blessed  in  the  respect  and  gratitude  which 
those  he  has  served  feel  tpwards  him. 

Oberlin  had  a  son  as  benevolent  as  himself — Henry 
Oberlin,  who  went  into  Russia,  and  into  the  south  of 
France,  to  teach  the  gospel.  He  died  in  his  father's 
house,  and  was  buried  in  the  church-yard  of  Foudai, 
one  of  the  five  parishes  of  the  Ban  de  la  Roche.  Such 
of  Oberlin's  children  as  survived  him,  being  married  to 
pious  persons,  imitated  their  father's  virtues. 

The  Memoirs  of  Oberlin  is  a  delightful  book.  Those 
who  can  read  the  whole  history  will  be  entertained  and 
instructed  by  it.  In  this  brief  narrative,  it  remains  only 
to  say  that  this  good  man  continued  his  labours  of  love 


JOHN    FREDERIC    OBERLIN.  233 

in  the  Ban  de  la  Roche  till  June  1st,  1826,  and  then, 
with  little  suffering,  he  fell  asleep  in  death,  being  nearly 
eighty-six  years  of  age. 

Never,  perhaps,  did  a  human  being  descend  to  the 
grave  more  wept  and  honoured.  His  coffin,  as  he  lay 
in  it,  in  his  own  study,  previous  to  the  funeral,  was  sur- 
rounded by  his  parishioners,  who  came  to  take  a  last 
sad  look  of  "  Cher  Papa,"  whose  venerable  countenance 
they  were  permitted  to  see  through  a  glass  lid  which 
covered  his  sweet  and  placid  features. 

The  funeral  took  place  on  the  5th  of  June.  It  was  a 
solemn  and  affecting  occasion.  A  very  numerous  con- 
course of  people,  in  a  procession  of  two  miles  in  length, 
attended  the  remains  of  this  excellent  man  to  the  grave. 
The  children  of  the  different  schools  formed  a  large 
part  of  the  procession,  chanting  hymns  adapted  to  the 
occasion. 

Being  arrived  at  the  church,  the  coffin  was  placed  at 
the  foot  of  the  altar,  and  the  congregated  people  assem- 
bled within  and  without  the  building.  The  burying- 
ground  was  surrounded  by  Roman  Catholic  women, 
kneeling  in  silent  prayer.  Notwithstanding  the  pressure 
of  so  great  a  multitude,  the  utmost  order  and  solemnity 
prevailed. 

The  Reverend  Mr.  Jeagle,  and  another  minister,  ad- 
dressed the  assembly,  setting  forth  the  virtues  of  their 
pastor,  and  commending  to  them  to  cherish  his  memory, 
and  imitate  his  life :  "  It  was  Oberlin,"  said  the  speaker, 
M  who   trained   up  your   instructors ;   it  was  he  who 


234  JOHN    FREDERIC   OBERLIN. 

changed  all  these  hamlets  into  smiling  villages ;  it  was 
he,  who,  working  at  your  side,  repaired  and  widened 
your  roads ;  it  was  he  who  displayed  noble  compassion 
for  your  poor,  who  fed  them  in  times  of  scarcity,  who 
succoured  widows  and  orphans,  and  protected  the  for- 
saken. 

"  Let  us,  then,  who  have  profited  by  these  generous  ser- 
vices, be  joined  in  the  bonds  of  that  charity  which  is  the 
greatest  of  all  virtues ;  let  us  love  each  other  to  the  end 
of  life;  let  us  carry  on  the  good  works  of  our  father 
and  friend,  and  accomplish  the  ends  which  his  wisdom 
designed  and  pursued." 

In  his  philanthropy,  Oberlin  made  no  distinction  of 
persons  on  account  of  their  religious  opinions.  He 
believed  that  charity  was  of  more  importance  than  any 
other  principle ;  and  that  he  who  did  the  Father's  will,  or 
he  who  needed  his  brother's  kindness,  was  the  proper 
object  of  affection  and  mercy. 

Oberlin's  son-in-law  succeeded  to  him  as  the  minister 
of  his  parish.  This  choice  was  made  by  Oberlin  himself, 
and  it  may  be  hoped,  that  the  good  work  begun  by  the 
father,  is  still  continued  by  the  children,  and  that  his 
excellent  example,  wherever  it  shall  be  known,  will 
reprove  the  selfish  and  the  indolent,  and  lead  many  to 
the  same  works  of  piety  and  charity. 


JOHN    FREDERIC    OBERLIN.  235 

QUESTIONS. 

Give  some  examples  of  benevolence  1 — What  is  philanthropy? — 
Describe  the  Ban  de  la  Roche. — Who  overran  this  district] — 
How  did  the  inhabitants  subsist? — Were  these  people  Roman 
Catholics? 

Were  the  inhabitants  of  the  Ban  very  ignorant? — WTio  first 
begun  to  instruct  these  people? — Did  these  people  learn  to  read? 
— What  notions  had  these  peasants  of  the  Bible  ? — Who  succeeded 
the  minister,  Stouber? — Who  was  Oberlin? — Did  Frederic  Oberlin 
early  exhibit  a  generous  disposition? 

Was  the  elder  Oberlin  an  honest  man? — Is  it  best  to  avoid 
debts? — How  did  young  Oberlin  assist  his  father  sometimesj — 
What  was  the  most  striking  trait  in  this  boy's  character? — "W%at 
enabled  Oberlin  to  be  generous  ? — What  is  the  use  of  self-denial  ? 
— How  did  Oberlin  once  relieve  a  poor  woman  ? 

Relate  another  instance  of  Oberlin's  generosity. — What  sort  of 
mother  had  Oberlin  ? — When  and  why  did  O.  go  to  Walbach  ? — 
What  habitation  was  provided  for  O.  ? — Were  O.'s  people  very 
poor  and  ignorant  ? 

What  were  these  peasants  in  need  of? — What  is  a  feudal  ser- 
vice?— Did  Oberlin's  people  value  his  service? — How  did  O.  treat 
his  enemies  ? — Did  O.  exhibit  courage  as  well  as  forbearance  ? — 
What  did  O.  say  to  the  conspirators  against  him  ? 

What  effect  had  O.'s  conduct  ? — What  explains  the  injunction 
of  Christ,  "  Love  your  enemies,"  &c.  ? — What  is  moral  courage  ? 
— Who  was  O.'s  wife? — Why  did  O.  desire  to  make  a  new  road? 
— Did  O.'s  parishioners  consent  to  his  project  ? — How  did  O.  over- 
come their  objections? 

Who  assisted  Oberlin  ? — What  further  service  was  rendered  by 
the  citizens  of  Strasburg  ? — How  did  the  peasants  obtain  tools  ? — 
What  was  O.'s  next  measure  ? — Why  did  O.  send  boys  to  Stras- 
burg ? — What  was  the  result  of  this  expedient  ? 

Did  O.  improve  the  domestic  comforts  of  his  people  ? — Did  O. 
improve   their  agriculture  and  horticulture? — Did  O.  teach  by 


236  JOHN    FREDERIC    OBERLIN. 

example? — Was  the  country  improved  by  these  means? — Does 
labour  procure  the  comforts  of  life  ? 

Did  Oberlin  provide  for  the  minds  of  his  people  ? — Did  the  people 
enter  into  his  plans  ? — Where  did  infant-schools  originate  % — Who 
conducted  O.'s  infant-schools'] — Did  O.  establish  other  schools'? — 
What  books  did  O.  provide  ? 

Did  Oberlin  teach  botany  ] — When  did  Mrs.  Oberlin  die  ? — Who 
was  very  useful  to  Oberlin  % — Did  Oberlin's  people  grow  better  and 
better? — Was  Oberlin  honoured  by  his  visitors? — Did  O.  say  he 
was  happy  ? — What  made  him  happy  ? 

Describe  Oberlin's  house  ? — What  did  O.'s .  study  contain  ? — 
How  was  dinner  ordered  in  O.'s  house  ? — What  were  the  manners 
of  p.'s  family  ? — What  affliction  happened  to  O.  in  1793  ? 

What  effect  had  the  French  Revolution  in  the  provinces? — 
Were  Oberlin's  people  disturbed  by  the  Revolutionists? — Did 
Oberlin  receive  the  fugitive  French  ? — How  did  O.  admonish  the 
people  ? 

How  did  O.  counsel  young  men  ? — How  did  O.  explain  repub- 
lican principles  ? — Who  did-  he  say  were  republicans  ? — What  do 
republicans  teach  their  children? — How  did  O.  encourage  the 
young  ? — What  did  O.  promise  them  should  be  their  final  reward  ? 

Were  there  beggars  in  Steinthal  ? — How  did  a  visitor  describe 
the  benevolence  of  these  peasants? — What  services  do  they  render 
each  other? — What  enabled"  these  people  to  be  generous? — Did 
Oberlin  become  celebrated  ? — Did  O.  distribute  Bibles  ? — Did  the 
population  of  the  Steinthal  increase  ? — Who  began  a  ribbon  factory 
in  Steinthal? — How  did  Mr.  Legrand  conduct  himself? 

How  did  Mr.  Legrand  describe  this  people  ? — Is  this  happiness 
common  to  all  good  people  ? — Where  did  Henry  Oberlin  die  ? — 
When  did  the  pastor  of  Walbach  die  ? — How  was  Oberlin's  memory 
honoured  ? 

When  was  Oberlin  buried  ? — Who  attended  the  funeral ! — Who 
pronounced  O.'s  funeral  discourse  ? — How  did  Mr.  Jeagle  conclude 
his  discourse  ? — Was  Oberlin's  charity  enlarged  f— *  Who  succeeded 
Oberlin? 


LOUISA    SCHEPLER, 


Admirable  as  is  the  example  of  Oberlin,  it  would  not 
be  doing  justice  to  his  memory,  not  to  give  some  ac- 
count of  his  fellow-worker,  Louisa  Schepler.  It  was 
mentioned  that  when  Mrs.  Oberlin  died,  Louisa  took  the 
care  of  her  family  and  her  children. 

She  was  at  this  time  twenty-three  years  of  age;  a 
sensible,  pleasing-looking  young  woman,  of  mild  and 
gentle  manners,  habited  in  the  costume  of  the  peasants 
of  the  country.  She  had  been  a  kind  of  helper  in  the 
village  of  Waldbach,  and  long  one  of  its  most  active  and 
zealous  conductrices. 

No  sooner  had  she  accepted  the  station  of  house- 
keeper to  the  "  Cher  Papa,"  than,  refusing  offers  of 
marriage,  she  took  the  resolution  of  devoting  herself  to 
his  service;  and  would  never  accept  any  salary,  but 
lived  in  his  family  rather  as  a  friend  than  a  servant 
What  her  few  wants  required,  she  asked  for — nothing 
more ;  and  when  Oberlin  endeavoured  to  put  money  into 
her  hands,  she  uniformly  returned  it. 

The  following  note,  dated  "  Waldbach,  First  of  the 
New  Year,  1793,"   addressed  by  Louisa  to  her  bene- 


238  LOUISA    SCHEPLER. 

factor,  is  a  sweet  little  proof  of  her  disinterested  and 
grateful  affection. 

"  Dear  and  beloved  Papa, 

"  Permit  me,  at  the  commencement  of  the  new  year, 
to  request  a  favour  which  I  have  long  desired.  As  J  am 
now  really  independent,  that  is  to  say,  as  I  have  no 
longer  my  father  or  his  debts  to  attend  to,  I  beseech  you, 
dear  papa,  not  to  refuse  me  the  favour  of  making  me 
your  adopted  daughter.  Do  not,  I  entreat  you,  give  me 
any  more  wages ;  for,  as  you  treat  me  like  your  child 
in  every  other  respect,  I  earnestly  wish  you  to  do  so  in 
this  particular  also.  Little  is  needful  for  the  support  of 
my  body.  My  shoes,  and  stockings,  and  sabots,  (wooden 
shoes,)  will  cost  something,  but  when  I  want  them, 
I  can  ask  you  for  them,  as  a  child  applies  to  its  father. 

"  Oh !  I  entreat  you,  dear  papa,  grant  me  this  favour, 
and  condescend  to  regard  me  as  your  most  tenderly 
attached  daughter.  Louisa  Schepler." 

The  humble  request  was  acceded  to,  and  Louisa  was 
ever  afterwards  considered  as  one  of  Oberlin's  own 
children. 


Oberlin  regarded  Louisa  with  the  sincerest  affection. 
He  was  particularly  anxious  to  evince  his  gratitude  to 
her  who  faithfully  served  him  during  a  period  of  fifty 
years.     The  following  sealed  letter,  in  which  he  speaks 


LOUISA    SCHEPLER.  239 

of  her  good  qualities,  and  begs  his  children  to  treat  her 
as  a  sister,  was  opened  a  few  days  after  his  death.  It 
is  dated  Waldbach,  August  2,  1811. 

"  My  very  dear  Children, 

"  In  leaving  you,  I  commend  to  your  care  the  faithful 
nurse  who  has  brought  you  up — the  indefatigable  Louisa, 
The  services  which  she  has  performed  for  our  family 
are  innumerable.  Your  dear  mamma  took  her  under 
her  care  before  she  had  attained  the  age  of  fifteen ;  but, 
even  at  that  early  period,  she  rendered  herself  useful  by 
her  talents,  her  activity,  and  her  industry.  On  the  pre- 
mature decease  of  your  beloved  parent,  she  became  at 
once  your  faithful  nurse,  your  careful  instructress,  and 
your  adopted  mother. 

"  Her  zeal  for  doing  good  extended  beyond  the  con- 
fines of  our  own  family.  Like  a  devoted  servant  of  the 
Lord,  she  went  into  all  the  surrounding  villages,  where 
I  sent  her,  to  assemble  the  children  together,  to  instruct 
them  in  God's  holy  will,  to  teach  them  to  sing  hymns, 
to  direct  their  attention  to  the  wonderful  works  of  na- 
ture, to  pray  with  them,  and  to  communicate  to  them  all 
the  knowledge  that  she  had  herself  derived  from  me  and 
your  mamma. 

"  This  was  not  the  labour  of  a  moment ;  the  difficul- 
ties which  opposed  her  employments,  would  have  dis- 
couraged a  thousand  others.  The  bad  roads  and  the 
inclement  weather,  so  frequent  on  these  mountains,  pre- 
sented a  great  difficulty :  but  neither  sleet,  nor  rain,  nor 


240  LOUISA    SCHEPLER.      • 

wind,  nor  hail,  nor  deep  snows  under  foot,  nor  snow 
falling  from  above,  detained  her  from  her  purpose ;  and 
when  she  returned  in  the  evening,  though  exhausted, 
wet,  and  weary,  and  chilled  with  excessive  cold,  she 
would  set  herself  to  attend  to  my  children,  and  to  her 
household  affairs.  In  this  manner,  she  devoted  not  only 
her  time  and  abilities,  but  also  her  health  and  all  her 
bodily  powers,  to  my  service,  and  to  the  service  of 
God. 

"  For  many  years  past,  indeed,  her  lungs  have  been 
injured,  and  her  constitution  absolutely  ruined,  by  over 
fatigue,  and  by  sudden  transitions  from  heat  to  cold,  and 
from  cold  to  heat ;  having  often,  when  warm  with  walk- 
ing, crossed  the  snows,  and  into  them  to  such  a  depth  as 
to  be  scarcely  able  to  get  out.  She  received  a  sufficient 
recompense,  you  will  perhaps  say,  in  the  ample  salary 
that  I  allowed  her. 

"No,  dear  children,  no:  since  the  death  of  your 
dear  mother,  I  have  never  been  able  to  prevail  on  her  to 
accept  the  least  reward  for  her  services ;  she  employed 
her  own  little  property  in  doing  good,  and  in  the  pur- 
chase of  her  scanty  wardrobe :  and  it  was  always  as  a 
favour  that  she  received  from  me  some  light  articles  of 
dress  and  provisions,  which  I  owed,  notwithstanding,  to 
her  economy  and  good  management.  Judge,  dear 
children,  judge  of  the  debt  you  have  contracted,  from 
her  services  to  me,  and  how  far  you  will  ever  be  from 
repaying  it. 

"  In  times  of  sickness  and  affliction,  how  kindly  has 


LOUISA    SCHEPLER.  241 

she  watched  over  both  you  and  me ;  how  tenderly  has 
she  sought  to  mitigate  our  pains  and  to  assuage  our 
griefs!  Once  more,  I  commend  her  to  you.  You  will 
evince,  by  the  care  that  you  take  of  her,  how  much  at- 
tention you  pay  to  the  last  wish  of  a  father,  who  has 
always  endeavoured  to  inspire  you  with  feelings  of 
gratitude  and  benevolence :  but,  yes,  yes ;  you  will  fulfil 
my  wishes. 

"  Adieu,  my  very  dear  children,  your  papa, 

"  J.  F.  Oberlin." 

So  well  disposed  were  Oberlin's  children  to  fulfil  this 
request,  and  to  coincide  in  their  father's  views,  that  they 
offered  Louisa  an  equal  share  of  the  little  property  he 
had  left.  This,  however,  she  refused  ;  asking  nothing 
more  than  permission  to  remain  an  inmate  of  the  family, 
and  to  add  the  honoured  name  of  Oberlin  to  her  own. 
"  It  is  almost  superfluous  to  say,"  writes  one  of  his  chil- 
dren, "  that  whilst  a  descendant  of  Oberlin  remains, 
Louisa  shall  want  for  nothing ;  at  least,  until  they  them- 
selves are  destitute." 

Many  years  ago,  a  French  gentleman,  Mr.  Monthyon, 
an  eminent  philanthropist,  left  a  sum  of  money  to  re- 
compense virtue,  to  encourage  merit,  and  relieve  misery. 
Part  of  this  money  is  bestowed  annually  in  prizes  given 
to  virtuous  poor  persons.  In  1829,  Cuvier  was  entrusted 
with  the  disposal  of  these  prizes ;  and  he  adjudged  one 
of  five  thousand  francs  to  Louisa  Schepler. 

This  sum  is  about  one  thousand  dollars.  Previously  to 
16 


242  LOUISA    SCHEPLER. 

this  time,  Louisa  had  given  her  whole  income  —  the  rent, 
only  of  a  small  field  —  to  charitable  uses;  and  she  had 
no  sooner  received  the  "  Prix  de  Virtue,"  than  she  ap- 
propriated her  increased  income  to  larger  charities. 

Whether  she  still  lives,  we  know  not ;  but  sure  we 
are,  whether  she  exists  on  earth  or  in  heaven,  that  her 
elevated  virtues  have  obtained  for  her  great  peace  of 
mind,  and  great  esteem  from  all  who  have  had  the 
benefit  of  her  disinterested  services. 


% 


QUESTIONS. 

Who  was  Oberlin's  faithful  assistant? — How  old  was  Louisa 
when  Mrs.  O.  died"? — Was  Louisa  devoted  to  O.'s  family'? — What 
letter  did  Louisa  write  to  0. 1 

Did  Oberlin  commend  Louisa  to  his  children?  From  whom 
did  Louisa  receive  a  prize  1 — What  use  did  Louisa  make  of  her 
money  ? 


(     243     ) 


CUYIER. 


George  Cuvier  was  a  great  natural  philosopher.  He 
was  also  one  of  the  best  and  most  useful  men  of  this 
century.  His  history  will  be  related  here,  not  only  be- 
cause he  was  a  great,  but  because  he  was  a  good  man, 
'and  not  only  a  good  man,  but  a  good  child — one  that 
employed  the  first  years  of  his  life  in  improving  his 
mind. 

Cuvier  was  born  at  Montbeliard,  in  France ;  though 
that  town,  being  near  the  Rhine,  was  then  subject  to  a 
German  prince — the  Duke  of  Wurtemberg.  Cuvier's 
father  was  an  army  officer  in  the  French  service ;  his 
mother  was  a  very  accomplished  and  sensible  lady. 
The  parents  of  Cuvier  had  but  two  children, — George, 
afterwards  Baron  Cuvier,  and  his  brother,  Mr.  Frederic 
Cuvier. 

Madame  Cuvier  took  great  pains  with  the  education 
of  her  children.  When  her  son  George  was  a  very 
little  boy,  she  taught  him  the  Latin  language,  and  draw- 
ing, and  made  him  love  reading  by  listening  to  him,  and 
explaining  the  books  he  read.  When  Cuvier  came  to 
be  a  very  eminent  man,  he  did  not  forget  what  he 
owed  to  this  excellent  mother,  who  died  while  he  was  a 
young  man. 


244  cuvier. 

Cuvier  always  spoke  of  his  mother  with  tenderness 
and  respect.  He  particularly  delighted  in  the  flowers 
she  had  preferred ;  and  whoever  placed  a  bunch  of  red 
gillyflowers  in  his  room,  was  sure  of  his  affectionate 
thanks  for  bringing  the  "  favourite  flower," — signifying 
his  mother's  favourite. 

None  but  the  hardened  wicked  can  forget  a  mother's 
care  and  tenderness.  A  bad  person  may  be  a  parent, 
and  we  cannot  love  the  bad  as  we  love  the  good  and 
affectionate :  but  the  good  child  will  forget  and  forgive 
the  faults  of  the  bad  father  or  mother.  The  parent  who 
has  watched  over  our  infancy,  who  has  fed  and  sup- 
ported us,  and  who  has  taught  us  what  is  right  and 
wrong,  deserves  to  be  honoured,  and  loved,  and  pro- 
vided for,  when  he  or  she  shall  grow  old  and  infirm,  or 
become  poor  and  afflicted. 

Madame  Cuvier  taught  her  son  to  read  the  Scriptures, 
and  to  perform  his  religious  duties ;  so  that  at  ten  years 
of  age,  he  could  recite  the  catechisms  used  by  Protest- 
ants, and  many  of  the  Psalms  of  David.  At  this  age, 
Cuvier  was  admitted  to  a  school  called  the  Gymnase, 
where,  in  the  space  of  four  years  that  he  continued  there, 
he  was  constantly  gaining  knowledge. 

Young  Cuvier  had  no  difficulty  in  acquiring  Greek 
and  Latin,  and  was  always  at  the  head  of  the  classes  of 
history,  geography,  and  mathematics.  He  delighted  in 
history ;  and  a  long  list  of  sovereigns,  with  abundance 
of  chronological  facts,  were  laid  up  in  his  memory,  and 
never  forgotten. 


cuvier.  245 

Cuvier  was  fond  of  geography :  when  he  grew  to  be 
a  man,  he  did  not  read  a  book  of  tales  without  looking 
at  a  map  to  see  the  position  of  places  described ;  and 
when  he  was  a  boy,  he  used  for  his  amusement  to  reduce 
maps  to  a  very  small  scale,  and  make  presents  of  them 
to  his  companions. 

His  love  of  reading  was  so  great  that  his  mother 
feared  so  much  application  would  injure  his  health ;  and 
she  would  often  persuade  him  to  leave  his  books,  and 
join  in  the  sports  of  other  boys.  He  seems  to  have 
understood  the  maxim,  "Work  when  you  work,  and 
play  when  you  play;"  for  he  not  only  excelled  in 
industry,  but  was  foremost  in  every  youthful  recrea- 
tion. 

Fifty  years  ago,  when  Cuvier  was  a  youth,  Buffon 
was  the  best  writer  upon  the  history  of  animals  known. 
He  described  men,  beasts,  and  birds  in  the  most  in- 
teresting manner.  Young  Cuvier  found  a  complete 
copy  of  Buffon's  works  at  the  house  of  a  relation,  and 
another  work  on  animals  in  the  library  of  the  Gymnase. 
These  books  he  was  allowed  to  use,  and  he  read  them 
with  avidity.  Blessed  with  a  memory  which  retained 
every  thing  valuable  that  he  saw  or  heard,  by  the  aid 
of  books,  he  became,  young  as  he  was,  as  familiar 
with  the  nature  of  birds  and  beasts,  as  a  first-rate  natu- 
ralist. 

At  the  age  of  fourteen,  this  remarkable  youth  formed 
a  little  academy,  of  which  he  was  appointed  president. 
He  gave  the  regulations,  and   fixed   the  meetings  for 


246  cuvier. 

every  Thursday,  at  a  stated  hour ;  when,  placing  his 
companions  round  a  table,  and  seated  in  the  midst  of 
them,  he  ordered  some  book  that  had  been  provided, 
which  treated  of  natural  philosophy,  history,  and  travels, 
to  be  read  for  the  common  edification. 

The  merits  of  the  book  were  next  discussed;  after 
which  the  youthful  president  summed  up  the  whole,  and 
pronounced  a  judgment  on  the  matter  which  had  been 
offered :  and  his  opinions  were  always  treated  with  re- 
spect by  others.  At  this  time,  he  also  showed  himself 
an  eloquent  speaker,  for  he  delivered,  at  a  school  exami- 
nation, an  oration  upon  the  prosperous  state  of  the  prin- 
cipality, which  astonished  his  audience. 

At  a  public  exhibition  at  the  Gymnase,  Duke  Charles 
of  Wiirtemburg  was  so  struck  with  the  talents  of  young 
Cuvier,  that  he  resolved  to  take  his  education  upon  him- 
self; and  afterwards  removed  him  to  the  Academie 
Caroline,  which  he  had  founded  at  Stuttgard,  in  Ger- 
many. In  this  school,  Cuvier  was  as  much  distinguished 
as  he  had  ever  been ;  and,  though  he  knew  not  a  word 
of  German  when  he  wTent  to  Stuttgard,  such  was  his 
proficiency,  that  in  nine  months  he  bore  off  a  prize  for 
his  skill  in  that  language. 

Here  was  no  aversion  to  learning,  no  idleness,  no 
obstinacy  for  his  parents  and  teachers  to  overcome. 
Nothing  was  necessary  to  young  Cuvier  but  assistance. 
/  cannot — /  will  not,  never  were  heard  from  his  lips,  nor 
entered  into  his  mind.  What  a  pleasure  to  cultivate  such 
an  excellent  understanding,  such  a  lovely  disposition! 


cuvier.  247 

After  leaving  the  university,  the  young  naturalist  went 
to  reside  as  tutor  in  a  Protestant  family,  in  the  French 
province  of  Normandy,  which  borders  upon  the  sea. 
There  he  lived  almost  six  years  without  scientific  books, 
but  he  prosecuted  experimentally  the  study  of  that  class 
of  animals  called  Vermes,  which  in  common  conversa- 
tion are  called  worms,  and  which  includes  all  those 
animals,  that,  like  the  oyster,  are  contained  in  shells. 
Abundant  specimens  of  these  were  found  on  the  coast 
of  Normandy. 

Cuvier  did  not  confine  his  study  to  this  class  of  animals, 
but  extended  it  to  every  species  which  he  had  it  in  his 
power  to  observe.  His  design  in  these  researches  was  to 
obtain  knowledge  on  the  subject  of  comparative  anatomy. 
The  science  of  anatomy  describes  the  different  parts  of 
animals,  and  their  uses.  Now  animals  are  fitted  for 
different  ways  of  life,  as  fishes  to  live  in  the  water,  birds 
to  fly  in  the  air,  and  quadrupeds  to  inhabit  the  earth,  and 
to  remain  upon  the  soil. 

The  fins  of  the  fish,  the  wings  of  the  bird,  and  the 
limbs  of  the  quadruped,  are  as  different  from  each  other 
as  the  modes  of  life  are  different  of  the  respective  animals 
to  which  they  belong ;  and  as  their  organs  of  motion  are 
different,  so  is  their  food  different,  and  the  structure  of 
their  masticatory  organs,  that  is,  their  teeth.  And  as 
their  food,  and  their  mode  of  preparing  it  for  the  stomach 
differ,  so  is  the  stomach  itself  different  in  these  several 
classes  of  animals.  But  they  all  require  food,  and  they 
all  respire  air ;  in  these  particulars  all  animals  are  alike. 


248  cuvier. 

Cuvier,  by  means  of  comparative  anatomy,  could  show 
in  what  particulars  all  animals  are  alike,  and  in  what 
every  class  differs  from  some  other  class.  A  class  of 
animals  means  those  which  are  alike  in  the  greatest 
number  of  particulars — fishes,  birds,  quadrupeds,  form 
each  a  class,  though  there  are  different  sorts  of  fishes, 
different  kinds  of  birds,  and  different  kinds  of  quadrupeds. 
Comparative  anatomy  compares  all  the  inferior  animals 
with  man,  who,  like  them,  is  an  animal,  but  his  rational 
soul,  "  little  lower  than  the  angels,"  and  formed  "  in  the 
image  of  God,"  has  given  him  dominion  over  them  all, 
and  made  him  more  excellent  than  they. 


In  Normandy,  Tessier,  a  learned  naturalist,  became 
acquainted  with  Cuvier,  and  perceiving  his  great  talents, 
believed  that  he  would  be  capable  to  render  great  ser- 
vices to  society  when  he  should  be  in  a  proper  situation. 
By  Tessier's  recommendation,  Cuvier  was  invited  to 
Paris.  There  he  was  appointed  professor  of  anatomy, 
and  in  1800,  a  professor  in  the  College  of  France;  and 
there,  till  May,  1832,  when  he  died,  he  was  one  of  the 
best  instructors  in  the  natural  sciences  that  ever  appeared 
in  the  world.  The  youth  of  France,  and  of  all  civilized 
Europe  and  America,  for  thirty  years,  as  many  as  could 
obtain  that  advantage,  resorted  to  Paris  for  instruction, 
and  those  who  heard  the  lectures  of  Cuvier,  will  ever 
esteem  it  to  be  the  highest  privilege  of  their  education. 

It  would  not  be  useful  to  follow  this  great  man  through 


cuvier.  249 

all  his  honours,  to  show,  in  every  fact  recorded  of  him, 
how  he  was  beloved  by  the  youth  whom  he  instructed, 
how  he  was  admired  by  persons  of  every  class,  or  how 
he  was  distinguished  by  Bonaparte,  and  by  the  King, 
Charles  X.  But  it  must  be  instructive  to  show  that  he 
was  as  good  as  he  was  great — that  he  served  God  and 
religion — that  he  endeavoured  to  improve  the  whole 
people  of  his  nation — that  he  was  the  best  of  husbands 
and  parents,  and  that  he  was  the  friend  of  little  children. 

Piety,  patriotism,  all  the  social  and  domestic  virtues, 
were  added  to  the  love  of  knowledge  in  this  great  man. 
He  made  those  around  him  happy  while  he  lived,  and 
those  far  from  him  are  benefited  by  his  discoveries,  now 
that  he  is  no  more.  His  example  teaches  all  the  virtues 
which  he  practised  while  living,  and  his  writings,  which 
can  never  die,  will  teach  true  science  to  future  men,  as 
long  as  they  shall  be  read.  He  rendered  all  these  services 
to  society  by  means  of  the  virtues  of  his  childhood — his 
docility,  perseverance,  and  patient  thought,  and  by 
cherishing  the  benevolence  of  his  natural  disposition. 

If  it  be  said  that  Cuvier  possessed  great  genius,  let  it 
be  remembered,  that  genius  without  diligence  does  little 
good.  His  genius  was  made  useful  by  application,  by 
himself  as  well  as  his  tutors,  and  any  young  person,  of 
either  sex,  whether  he  or  she  possesses  one  talent  or  ten 
talents,  may  make  that  portion  of  talent  of  use  to  society, 
and  the  means  of  happiness  to  himself  or  herself,  by  the 
same  care  and  wisdom  in  the  use  of  it,  as  this  eminent 
person  exhibited  throughout  his  life. 


250  CUVIER. 

Cuvier's  works  are  chiefly  on  geology  and  zoology ; 
the  former  describing  the  earth  we  live  in,  and  the  latter 
the  animals  that  occupy  it;  and  he  took  pleasure  in  show- 
ing that  God  made  the  world,  and  that  his  works  praise 
him.  "  All  is  linked  together,"  said  Cuvier,  speaking  of 
creation,  "  all  is  dependent,  all  existence  is  chained  to 
other  existence" — as  air  belongs  to  earth,  and  both  to 
living  beings,  and  living  beings  to  each  other,  and  all  to 
God,  who  formed  this  world  and  all  other  worlds — for 
the  firmament  declares  his  glory,  and  the  heavens  his 
handy  work." 

Cuvier  believed  that  all  things  in  this  world  were  made 
for  some  express  purpose ;  he  believed  that  one  Supreme 
Intelligence  had  provided  organs  for  fulfilling  the  ends 
for  which  all  things  were  created.  As,  that  if  he  designed 
an  animal  to  live  in  water,  that  animal  should  be  furnished 
with  fins  fitted  for  water,  and  teeth  to  devour  its  food ; 
and  that  every  being,  in  ocean,  earth,  or  air,  was  made 
to  take  delight  in  his  own  element. 

He  believed  that  all  creatures  were  fitted,  each  for  his 
own  place — to  be  happy  as  long  as  they  should  live,  to 
furnish  food  for  other  animals  when  dead,  and  many  to 
be  of  service  to  man  living  and  dead — so  that  in  every 
animal  he  saw  the  wisdom  and  goodness  of  God.  Such 
views  of  Providence  teach  us  to  be  kind  to  those  creatures, 
towards  whom  God,  who  made  us  and  them,  is  so  mer- 
ciful and  gracious. 

Great  naturalists  have  appeared  before  Cuvier  in  dif- 
ferent ages  and  countries.    Aristotle,  among  the  Greeks ; 


CUVIER.  251 

Linnaeus,  a  Swede,  in  modern  times ;  and  Cuvier,  since 
Linnaeus,  are  accounted  the  greatest  naturalists  that  have 
appeared  in  the  world. 

Besides  giving  instruction  concerning  the  earth  we 
inhabit,  and  the  animals  which  dwell  on  it,  Cuvier  wished 
to  make  knowledge  useful 'to  all  persons.  He  did  not 
desire  to  see  a  few  enlightened  and  wise,  and  the  rest  of 
the  people  left  in  ignorance ;  but  he  wished  to  provide 
knowledge  for  the  labouring  and  the  poor  man.  It  was 
his  desire,  "  To  lead  the  mind  of  man,  (that  is,  the  mind 
of  every  man,)  to  its  noble  destination — a  knowledge  of 
the  truth." 

It  will  be  useful  to  give  here  his  definition  of  the  word 
Nature,  which  we  so  often  use — Nature,  the  Universe, 
Creation,  are  so  many  synonymes — so  many  words  ex- 
pressing the  same  idea.  They  all  express  the  whole  of 
God's  works,  all  that  he  has  made. 

The  nature  of  a  thing,  has  another  meaning.  The 
nature  of  a  thing  is  its  properties  or  qualities.  It  is  the 
nature  of  an  animal  to  be  born,  to  grow,  and  to  die — it 
is  the  nature  of  an  oak  to  live  three  hundred  years  or 
more,  and  to  be  formed  of  hard  wood — it  is  the  nature 
of  gold  to  be  heavy,  to  be  yellow,  and  not  to  rust,  or  be 
decomposed  in  common  air  or  water. 


Cuvier's  description  of  Virtue  is  instructive.  In  Paris, 
a  benevolent  French  gentleman,  Mr.  Monthyon,  left 
money  to  be  given  in  prizes  to  persons  who  should  do 


252  cuvier. 

great  good,  and  be  known  to  have  done  it.  One  prize 
was  to  be  given  annually  to  the  person  who  should  write 
the  best  book  for  instruction  of  young  persons,  in  respect 
to  their  moral  conduct ;  and  another  prize  to  any  poor  per- 
son who  should  be  distinguished  by  extraordinary  good- 
ness. In  1829,  Cuvier  was  the  distributor  of  these  prizes. 

On  that  occasion  he  gave  the  history  of  those  to  whom 
he  gave  the  prize,  in  order  to  show  that  the  individual 
deserved  it.  And  before  he  recited  that  history,  he 
expressed  his  own  notions  of  virtue.  The  highest  virtue. 
he  supposes,  is  that  which  endures  great  wrongs,  and 
performs  great  labour,  without  hope  of  reward,  but  only 
to  benefit  others.  This  is  disinterested  virtue.  The  ex- 
ample of  Christ  displays  this  elevated  virtue. 

"  We  read  in  the  Holy  Writings,  <  Love  God  above  all 
things,  and  your  neighbour  as  yourself.'  What  is  it  to 
love  God? — We  can  only  show  that  we  love  him  by 
keeping  his  commandments,  by  doing  what  he  has  com- 
manded us.  The  first  thing,  he  commands  us  to  do  is  to 
love  our  neighbour  as  ourselves ;  and  our  neighbours  are 
all  men,  of  all  countries  and  complexions. 

"  God  has  given  us  a  natural  disposition  to  love  others 
— to  weep  for  their  sorrow — to  rejoice  in  their  joy.  This 
sympathy  is  what  the  gospel  calls  charity.  Do  not  to 
others  that  which  you  would  not  they  should  do  to  you ; 
and  do  to  others  what  you  would  they  should  do  to  you. 
These  simple  rules  may  be  comprehended  even  by  child- 
ren. 

"  Why  are  not  these  rules  always  followed  ?   Because 


cuvier.  253 

we  love  ourselves  too  much,  and  our  fellow-beings  too 
little.  God,  who  tells  us  to  love  our  neighbours,  com- 
mands us  to  love  them  as  we  love  ourselves,  therefore  he 
permits  us  to  love  ourselves.  Self-love  teaches  many 
virtues,  such  as  temperance,  which  preserves  our  health, 
prudence,  which  instructs  us  to  take  care  of  our  own 
property,  and  to  avoid  whatever  will  hurt  us,  and  courage, 
which  enables  us  to  get  out  of  danger  and  difficulty. 

Too  much  self-love  is  selfishness.  Selfishness  disposes 
us  to  think  too  much  of  ourselves,  and  too  little  of  others. 
It  makes  us  unjust ;  makes  us  desire,  and  take,  and  keep, 
what  does  not  belong  to  us,  and  require  of  others  more 
than  we  render  to  them.  To  be  full  of  love  to  every  one 
of  our  fellow-beings — to  serve  them  when  we  have  an 
opportunity — to  be  just,  generous,  and  kind,  is  to  be  vir- 
tuous ;  to  be  selfish,  unjust,  ungenerous,  and  unmerciful, 
is  to  be  wicked." 

Many  individuals  were  commended  on  this  occasion 
as  worthy  of  the  Prize  of  Virtue.  One  of  the  great  prizes, 
as  has  been  already  mentioned,  was  awarded  to  Louisa 
Schepler. 


Cuvier  was  eminently  the  friend  of  the  young.  He 
wished  to  see  good  schools  in  every  part  of  France,  all 
over  Europe,  and  for  all  classes  of  people.  He  inspected 
the  books  used  in  the  public  schools,  and  often  correspond- 
ed with  the  rectors,  or  head-masters  of  the  country 
schools.  Soon  after  the  death  of  Cuvier,  one  of  these 
rectors  thus  addressed  his  pupils: 

m 


254  cuvier. 

My  dear  Children, 
You  have  friends  and  benefactors  everywhere.  But 
alas !  he  is  no  more,  who  has  held  the  first  rank  among 
them.  Death  has  snatched  him  from  us,  and  from  all 
mankind.  The  great  man  who  tried  to  do  you  so  much 
good,  was  called  George  Cuvier.  Every  day,  in  your 
prayers,  thank  God  for  this  benefactor.  May  you  always 
be  grateful  to  those  who  wish  you  well,  and  especially 
to  those  who  do  you  good. 

Mr.  Reynal,  the  rector  just  mentioned,  once  received 
the  following  letter  from  Cuvier : 

Mr.  Rector, 
I  commend  your  scholars  to  you  as  my  brothers  and 
best  friends.  Instil  into  them  submission  to  their  parents, 
respect  for  the  property  of  others,  and  good  manners 
towards  every  one.  These  are  the  virtues  and  du- 
ties of  all  religions.  Let  benevolence  and  affection  be 
kept  up  between  the  children  of  your  care,  and  other 
children  of  the  neighbourhood,  who  live  like  them  by 
labour  and  industry.  God  loves  and  protects  them  all 
with  equal  goodness ;  with  the  same  favour,  he  blesses 
the  labourer  that  toils,  and  the  harvest  of  the  fields.  Let 
all  behave  towards  one  another  like  the  children  of  the 
same  father. 


Cuvier  was  one  of  the  presidents  of  the  Bible  Society 
in  France,  and  caused  to  be  formed  fifty  new  churches 
of  Protestants.  Of  him  it  might  be  said  with  truth,  that 
all  he  knew,  he  knew  thoroughly,  and  all  he  did,  he  did 


cuvier.  255 

well.  The  drawing  he  had  practised  when  a  boy,  be- 
came very  useful  to  him  as  a  man.  Whenever  he  was 
describing  an  animal  in  his  public  lectures,  he  would 
draw  it  with  great  facility  and  correctness  upon  a  black 
board  in  presence  of  his  audience,  and  then  explain  the 
uses  of  its  particular  form  or  structure. 

He  had,  when  very  young,  the  power  of  cutting  out 
in  paper  or  pasteboard,  whatever  object  he  wished  to 
represent.  When  he  was  no  more  than  six  years  of 
age,  a  mountebank  passing  through  Montbeliard,  played 
various  tricks  that  divert  children,  and  young  Cuvier's 
uncle  caused  him  to  exhibit  them  for  the  amusement  of 
his  nephew  and  other  young  persons  at  his  house. 

Among  the  wonders  which  the  man  displayed,  was  a 
small  fountain,  which  flowed  or  stopped  at  his  bidding, 
and  a  poniard,  which  he  apparently  thrust  into  his  arm, 
and  drew  out  dripping  with  blood.  All  this  astonished 
the  spectators  who  happened  to  be  present,  but  George 
Cuvier  did  not  appear  surprised.  He  examined  the 
whole  attentively,  and  then  explained  the  manner  in 
which  the  fountain  played,  and  the  mystery  of  the 
poniard,  illustrating  both  by  cutting  out  models  in  paper. 

The  ingenuity,  or  the  science  of  this  great  man,  would 
have  been  of  small  value  without  the  benevolence  of  his 
heart,  and  his  care  for  the  young,  the  poor,  and  the 
ignorant.  By  means  of  science  he  taught  the  providence 
of  God ;  by  reason  of  his  love  for  mankind,  he  extended, 
as  far  as  he  was  able,  that  knowledge  which  he  enjoyed 
in  his  own  mind.  May  his  example  teach  others  to  leave 
in  themselves  no  talent  unemployed. 


256  cuvier. 


QUESTIONS. 

Who  was  one  of  the  greatest  men  of  this  century  ? — Who  were 
the  parents  of  Cuvier] — Who  was  Cuvier's  first  instructor? — How 
did  C.  express  respect  for  his  mother  ? — What  is  the  duty  of  chil- 
dren to  parents! — What  did  Madame  Cuvier  teach  her  son? — 
What  were  C.'s  favourite  studies? 

Did  C.  like  geography? — Did  C.  work  and  play  with  equal 
heartiness  ? — What  led  C.  to  the  study  of  natural  history  ? — What 
did  C.  at  fourteen  years  of  age  ? — Was  C.  a  good  declaimer  ? — 
Who  took  upon  himself  the  charge  of  C.'s  education? 

Why  was  it  delightful  to  instruct  Cuvier? — Where  did  Cuvier 
go  when  he  left  the  university? — In  what  studies  did  C.  engage? 
— Relate  some  of  the  differences  in  animal  life  ? — What  is  a  class 
of  animals,  &c.  ? — Who  became  acquainted  with  C.  in  Normandy  ? 

Did  Cuvier  become  a  distinguished  man? — Were  C.'s  moral 
qualities  equal  to  his  knowledge? — Were  the  virtues  of  C.'s  child- 
hood useful  to  his  ripe  age  ? — What  makes  genius  of  use  ? — What 
are  C.'s  works  ? 

Did  C.  teach  the  providence  of  God  ? — In  what  did  C.  behold  the 
goodness  of  God  ? — Who  are  accounted  the  greatest  naturalists  ? — 
Did  C.  wish  to  limit  knowledge  to  a  few  ? — What  is  the  meaning 
of  the  word  nature? — What  is  the  nature  of  a  thing? 

What  prizes  were  left  by  Mr.  Monthyon  ? — What  is  C.'s  defini- 
tion of  virtue  ? — How  do  men  show  love  to  God  ? — What  is  Charity  ? 
— Is  self-love  the  source  of  virtues  and  vices? 

Is  selfishness  excess  of  self-love  ? — On  whom  did  C.  bestow  the 
prize  of  virtue? — Did  C.  love  young  people? — What  address  to 
children  was  made  on  C.'s  death  ? 

What  address  did  C.  make  to  Mr.  Reynal  ? — Did  C.  excel  in 
whatever  he  did  ? — What  ingenuity  did  C.  display  in  his  childhood  ? 
Is  talent  valuable  without  virtue? 

THE  END. 


I 


1 


